The Daily Office for January 16, 2012
Scriptures
Psalm 25
Genesis 8:6-22
Hebrews 4:14-5:6
John 2:23-3:15
Reading (John 2:23-3:15)
Reflection
Jesus remained in Jerusalem for the Passover and many believed in his name when they saw the miracles. But Jesus did not entrust himself to them because they were not true, faithful followers. These were nominal believers whose only interest was in seeing miracles. These people had not accepted Him with saving faith but rather they accepted Him as a powerful miracle worker.
Nicodemus is then introduced as a man of the Pharisees and a ruler of the Jews. The Pharisees were the religious separatists and the rulers who predominantly formed the Sanhedrin. Nicodemus came to Jesus by night so that he could personally talk with him. During this conversation Christ made a statement about new birth which prompted puzzled questions from Nicodemus. The key word here (Gr anōthen) means “from above” — unless a person is born from above he or she cannot see the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is His rule over His people and refers to everlasting life.
Nicodemus’ questions reveal that he did not grasp the spiritual meaning of the Lord’s statement. He expected a negative answer to his rhetorical questions. However, Christ answers by explaining new birth. He then illustrates, from Numbers 21, the nature of God’s plan of redemption. Sin had caused God to punish the Israelites with serpents. God commanded Moses to make a brass snake so that when the sick looked to that image they would be healed. In the same way Christ had to be lifted up (on the cross) so that all of us, bitten by the serpent of sin, will have life eternal.
Collect of the Day
Almighty God, in Christ you make all things new: transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace, and in the renewal of our lives make known your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.