JOHN 3:10-16 SEEING MORE CLEARLY

10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.

16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

One of the consequences of the fall is that creation is shrouded in the darkness of ignorance. Separation from God is separation from the truth, and therefore, the source of all knowledge. As we grope around in the darkness we have been given torches from heaven, especially the Scriptures. But in our lack of understanding we walk around with our torches under baskets. While the Hebrew Scriptures were the gift of light, Jesus was the light come down from heaven for our illumination. Yet we have also hidden him under the basket of our self-centered, self-preserving and self-promotional understanding.

If we are to partake in divine understanding and the divine will, we must remove the basket and look into the light. The Truth was raised up for us to see on the Cross of Calvary. If we refuse to take the Scriptures and the experience of the Incarnation seriously, a book we can hold and the life of God on earth, then how can we expect to recognize the Holy Spirit, let alone allow him to transform our lives? According to Jesus, rebirth by the Spirit is an elementary lesson. True transformation begins here and only then do we go onto the fuller understanding of God’s revelation in Christ and the empowerment to live according to his will.

Open my eyes, Lord, so that I might see you more clearly and know you better each day of my life. Send your Holy Spirit to enlighten my mind, encourage my spirit and empower my walk according to your truth. May I know the rebirth through the Holy Spirit to be the beginning of true understanding and not the goal toward which I live. Bring me into an ever closer relationship with you. Amen.