I wonder what it was like for the disciples to reflect on their experiences of being in the presence of Jesus. Today's gospel might be part of the thought and prayer of Nicodemus. While Jesus walked this earth, Nicodemus was curious about the things that Jesus taught, but he had to be careful not to be perceived as a follower of Jesus since he was also one of the important people in the Jewish community and he didn't want to risk losing his status.
After Jesus rose from the dead, I wonder if Nicodemus lay in bed at night and remembered the words that Jesus had spoken to him: You must be born from above (Jn 3:7) ... 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 (Jn 3:15). When Nicodemus first heard these words, I wonder whether he found them strange. I wonder whether he pondered their meanings and I wonder whether he came to a deeper realization of their truth after Jesus had risen from the dead. How often have we puzzled over these words and what they mean?
In retrospect, it might be easier to understand that Jesus was speaking about being spiritually born through the sacrament of Baptism, and that he himself had to be lifted up on a cross so that we could have the reward of eternal life. The good news is that Jesus has already given his life for us, we already have a place reserved in heaven. Like Nicodemus, we just need to ponder these realities: in Baptism, we have already been born into the life of faith; Jesus has already been lifted up; therefore, all we need to do is to ask him to help us to believe every day ... he has already prepared a place for us in heaven where we will know the exceeding joy of eternal life.
Have a great day.
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