Dear friends in Jesus Christ,
Today’s Gospel passage is a part of the dialogue of Jesus with Nicodemus, a Jewish Pharisee and religious leader, who had come to Jesus expressing a sincere belief from his very heart. Nicodemus says to Jesus, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God” (John 3:2). We often tend to think of Pharisees as opponents of Jesus. However, Nicodemus is an example of a Pharisee who is open to hearing Jesus and actively seeks out Jesus in a desire to know who he is and what he is teaching.
Jesus tells Nicodemus that he should experience a new birth in order to come to a life of deeper and richer faith. This is an invitation to enter fully into the Kingdom of God, realised perfectly in Jesus Christ. What was true for Nicodemus is also true for us, with the goal of having life and having it in abundance, by following the Lord who is our Shepherd. Jesus goes on to explain to Nicodemus the content of the true life of faith and its consequences for those who wish to embrace the life-giving message.
The origin of our salvation lies with God who sent his Son out of love for the human race. Furthermore, behind everything, there is to be found the love of God. Jesus tells Nicodemus: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:16-17).
God’s love embraces the whole world, including those who truly love God, those who never think of God and those who reject the love of God. Everyone is included in God’s infinite love. As Saint Augustine expressed the idea: “God loves each one of us as if there was only one of us to love.” Therefore, we shall not have uncertainty on Jesus’ infinite love but make an earnest effort to trust in Him with our whole heart, mind, soul and strength. God bless you all.