16-Apr-15

Gospel JN 3:31-36
The one who comes from above is above all.
The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things.
But the one who comes from heaven is above all.
He testifies to what he has seen and heard,
but no one accepts his testimony.
Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.
For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God.
He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.
The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,
but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life,
but the wrath of God remains upon him.

Reflection:
Here we are told that because Jesus came to us from above, he is above all things.
God put his full Spirit upon Jesus, holding nothing back so that Jesus has full knowledge of God. Therefore, we can believe what Jesus Christ conveys about what God desires of us.
If we believe in Christ and obey the ways of God, we are promised eternal life. If we reject Christ and his message from the Father, we forfeit life in the hereafter.
This message is clear. The choice is completely ours.
It is not a matter of a loving God inflicting punishment on a disobedient child. It is instead a matter of our making wrong decisions that result in terrible consequences.
Jesus is telling us that God's ways are much like the ways of a loving and responsible parent.
In a modern day family, should the twenty year old son chose to indulge in alcohol and drugs, the loving parents don't punish the young man. The parents sit him down and tell him: "Son, we love you and we're worried about you. If you straighten up and quit abusing drugs and alcohol, you are more than welcome to continue to live in our home. But, if you continue to drink and drug, you will have to find another place to live."
The young man has to make the choice whether to amend his behavior and stay in his father's house, or continue with his rebellious ways and leave.
If he chooses to straighten up and stays, his parents are delighted. If he continues to drink and drug and leaves, his parents are brokenhearted.
So it is with God.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9