We are one day early in celebrating the fourth and final week of Advent. The Advent message for the week starting tomorrow turns our focus to the theme of love and adoration, illuminated by the imminent celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. This period of contemplative anticipation finds profound expression in the Gospel of John, particularly in John 3, a passage that encapsulates the essence of divine love and its manifestation in the incarnation of Christ.
John 3
John 3 is positioned within a Gospel that emphasizes the divine nature and mission of Jesus. This chapter, particularly John 3:16, is often celebrated for its succinct and powerful articulation of the Gospel message. The chapter includes the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, a Pharisee, which explores themes of rebirth, faith, and salvation.
"1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." 9 Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" 10 Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God." 22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison). 25 Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness--look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him." 27 John answered, "A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.' 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease." 31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." John 3:1-36 (ESV)
Literary Structure and Key Themes
John 3 can be divided into several key sections, each contributing to the overarching theme of divine love:
Verses 1-21: The Conversation with Nicodemus
Jesus' dialogue with Nicodemus introduces the concept of being "born again" and elaborates on the spiritual nature of this rebirth. The discourse reaches a crescendo in verse 16, where the theme of God's love for the world is explicitly stated.
Verse 16: God's Love and the Gift of Jesus
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." This verse succinctly captures the essence of God's love – a self-giving, sacrificial love that seeks the salvation of humanity.
Verses 22-36: John the Baptist's Testimony about Jesus
The chapter concludes with John the Baptist's testimony, further affirming Jesus' identity and mission. John's words underscore the necessity of believing in Jesus for eternal life, reinforcing the theme of divine love.
Theological Implications
John 3, especially verse 16, profoundly encapsulates the Advent message of love. It emphasizes God's initiative in the incarnation: God sending His Son into the world as an act of love. This divine love is not abstract but is demonstrated in the tangible gift of Jesus Christ, intended for the salvation of all who believe.
Contemplation of Divine Love
Advent is a time to reflect deeply on the nature of God's love, as revealed in the incarnation of Jesus. This contemplation invites believers to appreciate the depth and breadth of God's love, which extends to all humanity.
Embracing the Gift of Jesus
The Advent season calls for a personal response to the gift of Jesus. Believers are encouraged to not only appreciate the theological implications of the incarnation but also to embrace Jesus as a personal savior and the ultimate expression of God's love.
Preparing for Christ's Coming with Love
As Advent draws to a close, the faithful are encouraged to prepare for the coming of Christ by embodying the love that God has shown. This involves acts of kindness, compassion, and self-giving, mirroring the love that is celebrated during this season.
Conclusion
John 3, particularly verse 16, offers a profound and concise summary of the Advent message of love. It invites believers to a deeper understanding of God's self-giving love as manifested in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. This chapter challenges believers to respond to this divine love through faith, adoration, and a commitment to embodying this love in their daily lives.
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