Reflection for April 18, Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter: John 3:7b-15

Gospel: John 3:7b-15

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 must become a faithful follower of Jesus. A follower who is averse to sin. A 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 support Jesus. Who will work for Jesus and who will do things for Jesus even outside of the glare of lights. For this is the challenge before us who are followers of the Lord.    

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 this means everything that made you sin. – Marino J. Dasmarinas