Psalm: Psalm 23
Background
John 3:14 is a good place to start with its roots firmly inHebrew Scripture; the Bible's Old Testament. In Numbers 21:6-9 the Lord sent poisonous or fiery(depending on translation) serpents to bite those who complainedabout food rations in the desert. The people recognised their sinof complaint. They asked Moses to pray to the Lord to take theserpents away. He did, but was told to give them another snake: abronze model of one and put it on a pole. They would gaze on itfearfully but it wouldn't harm them. It would actually heal them. Astrange but significant serpent-Saviour connection is then made.The Son of Man - Jesus - would be lifted on a pole/cross too: awfulto look at but ultimately for the world's healing and salvation.John's Gospel presents a Jesus who daringly reinterprets HebrewScripture for Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews and a teacher ofIsrael. Nicodemus respected Jesus as a teacher (Rabbi), but wasmystified by his signs and teaching such as the commotion Jesuscaused in the temple by objecting to the trading going on there (John2:13-25). No wonder Nicodemus visited this controversial Rabbiwhen it was dark. Apart from the serpent brainteaser, Nicodemus hasto wrestle with new suggestions of what it means for Israel to "seethe kingdom of God" (v. 3). In other words, to realise andappreciate what life under God's rule and in God's way is reallylike. To "see" in that new way needs spiritual rebirth. WaterBaptism to wash away sins, as offered by John the Baptist, is partof that and a fine thing. But when the Father, having taken Jesusthe Son back to himself, sends the Holy Spirit into the world, awhole new birth and Baptism "from above" (vv. 3, 7) will be onoffer. Being 'born anew' promises fresh spiritual vision. Those"born of the Spirit" (v. 6) who catch that vision may come frommany backgrounds and be sent in many directions, much to a teacherof Israel's surprise. After all, the wind blows where itchooses.
To Ponder
- What do you think of the question, 'Are you born again?'? Haveyou ever asked it of someone or been asked it yourself?
- If the Holy Scriptures of one world religion are interpretedthrough the lens of another world religion, what are thedangers?