"How Can This Be Possible?"

“How Can This Be Possible?”

How many times have we asked this question or stated, “It’s not possible.”

In today’s gospel, we are with Jesus and Nicodemus.  Jesus is tired after a long day and Nicodemus finds comfort in approaching Jesus at night so as not to be seen by the Jewish Pharisees. 

Jesus explains to Nicodemus that he needs to be born of water and spirit, a teaching the Pharisees were aware of by way of John the Baptizers message.

What does that mean to Nicodemus?  He’s a follower of Jesus and a teacher of the law and he isn’t clear in his understanding that the teaching of Moses and the serpent is one that is earthly and, even though it worked for the Israelites, the Son of God must also be gazed upon to be believed in by all.

Jesus’ death and resurrection mark the beginning of a new creation, a new way of belief, a new understanding that doesn’t abolish the law but clarifies the law. 

When Nicodemus asks the question “How can this be?” he is asking how is this going to fit into my plan and way of worship.  Jesus lets him know that this is going to require and deepening of his faith and not just a mere adjustment of some law.

An act of Faith in Jesus is what is being asked of Nicodemus and us. 

“Look upon the one that has be pierced for our offenses” and believe that “by His wounds we are healed” takes us past the serpent of Moses and places us in the Eternal salvation plan of Jesus.

            “And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

Have Faith that we may have Eternal Life!