It is the way that things transpire afterwards that reveals the true significance of events; it is in retrospect that we see the hand of God. And where we see the hand of God and how we understand it is often in and through ordinary things: the birth of a baby girl, stepping across a threshold for the first time, getting clean by immersing ourselves in water, the movement of trees in the wind. We see this as we look at the context of John 3:16, as Jesus reminds Nicodemus of that which he already knows and adds to the knowledge through that which is entirely ordinary: in order to become a member of the people of God, washing with water is necessary, but a work of the Spirit of God must also occur, even if it be as invisible as the wind. This is the spiritual rebirth into a new reality needed to enter this new and lasting spiritual life; this is why and how we must be born again in order to become members of the people of God (the ekklesia) and thus enter into the kingdom of God. And this healing is ultimately to be effected by the same means that Nicodemus and any other Jew already knew: as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness for the healing of the people of God and those who looked to it and saw the provision of God were healed, even so, in order for heaven and earth to meet and for the people of God to be able to look up, believe, and be healed of their sins—even so, the Son of Man must be lifted up. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Scripture readings referenced:

* John 3:1-17

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