Jesus said to
Nicodemus: “‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wills, and
you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or
where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus
answered and said to him, ‘How can this happen?” Jesus answered and said to
him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this? Amen, amen,
I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but
you people do not accept our testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and
you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?
No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the
Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the
Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal
life.”
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Reflection:
Who is
Nicodemus and how does his situation relate with us? He is a Pharisee, a
secret faithful follower of Jesus; He visited Jesus during night time (John
3:1–21). Nicodemus also appeared after the Crucifixion of Jesus to provide the
embalming ingredients for the body of Jesus. He also assisted Joseph of
Arimathea in preparing the body of Jesus (John 19:39–42).
Like
Nicodemus we too should become a faithful follower of Jesus. A follower who
doesn’t keep any secrets. A true follower in words and in deeds and a follower
who will stay with Jesus no matter how strong the temptation to betray him.
We should
aspire to become a modern day Nicodemus who will silently support Jesus. Who
will silently work for Jesus and who will do things for Jesus even
outside of the glare of lights. This is the challenge before us who are
following Jesus.
But are we really
His true followers? Or we are followers in good times only but when the testing
of our faith comes, we easily betray Jesus in favor of the many sinful
enticements of this world. Like Nicodemus, are we also followers who are
ever ready to leave behind everything in favor of Jesus?
Leave everything behind to Jesus and He will take care of you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Leave everything behind to Jesus and He will take care of you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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