For centuries, Christians have made this a text about what they have to do in order to get into heaven. In the process, all they have done is reveal that Nicodemus is alive and well in the Church today. This text is not actually about getting into heaven at all, nor is it about God’s plan to condemn non-Christians for their lack of faith, or to require baptism of any who want to be saved. Much like the story of Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness we heard last week, Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus is about humanity’s sinful yearning for divine power and control, about why we serve God, and about God’s plan to save the whole world.
Ephesians 2:1-10; John 3:1-17
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