Sunday Before the Exaltation of the Cross - Birth of the Theotokos

In John 3:13-17, we witness a profound conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a respected member of the Jewish ruling council. This passage is rich with meaning and offers deep insights into Jesus’ divine nature and mission.

Jesus begins by telling Nicodemus that no one has ascended into heaven except for the Son of Man, who has come down from heaven. This statement is a powerful affirmation of Jesus’ divine origin and unique authority. It reminds us that Jesus is not just a wise teacher or prophet, but the very Son of God who has come to dwell among us. Reflecting on this, we can appreciate the immense humility and love it took for Jesus to leave the glory of heaven and enter our world, while still remaining in Heaven.  Our  Byzantine Catholic liturgical texts say that God's Incarnation was “not a moving from place to place. It was the Creator becoming His own Creation while still remaining God. He retained divine nature while assuming human nature for our sake.”
Jesus then draws a parallel to an Old Testament story that Nicodemus would have been familiar with: the bronze serpent that Moses lifted up in the wilderness (Numbers 21:4-9). Just as the Israelites who looked at the bronze serpent were healed from their snake bites, Jesus explains that the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. This imagery foreshadows Jesus’ crucifixion, where He would be “lifted up” on the cross to bring healing and salvation to all who believe. It’s a poignant reminder of the sacrifice Jesus made for us and the hope we have in Him.
The passage then moves to one of the most well-known verses in the Bible, John 3:16: “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.” This verse encapsulates the heart of the Gospel message. It speaks of God’s immense love for humanity—a love so great that He was willing to give His only Son to save us. Reflecting on this, we can feel a deep sense of gratitude and awe. God’s love is not just a distant, abstract concept; it is personal and sacrificial. It is a love that reaches out to each of us, inviting us into a relationship with Him.
Finally, Jesus emphasizes that He did not come to condemn the world, but to save it. This is a message of hope and grace. No matter our past mistakes or current struggles, Jesus offers us forgiveness and a new beginning. His purpose is to bring us into the fullness of life that God intends for us.
As we meditate on this passage, we are invited to respond to God’s love with faith and trust. We are called to look to Jesus, just as the Israelites looked to the bronze serpent, and find in Him our source of healing and eternal life. This passage encourages us to embrace the incredible love and grace that God extends to us through Jesus Christ.
This passage helps us prepare for the Great and Solemn Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (14 September) by encouraging us to embrace the incredible love and grace that God extends to us through Jesus Christ.