SUNDAY’S GOSPEL – John 3:13-17

FEAST OF THE HOLY CROSS

In the past, we knew what happened for us in “redemption”. Adam sinned; God was angry and demanded a ransom; Jesus paid the price. I hope that sounds both familiar and old-fashioned. We have all walked away silently from that narrative: there was no Adam; God is not so angry; Jesus never, ever says his death was a payment for the sin of Adam. The difficulty for us is that this old “narrative” has not been replaced by anything as powerful.

There are other ways of thinking about “what happened for us” in Jesus’ death and resurrection. In particular, the writings of Paul, the letter to the Hebrews and the Gospel of John are very helpful and inspirational.

 [Jesus said to Nicodemus:] No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.  And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

  “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

POINTERS FOR PRAYER

  1. In John’s Gospel the lifting up of Jesus on the cross is the climax of the revelation of God’s love for us. How has the cross spoken to you of the love we have been shown in Jesus?
  2. . Jesus says the purpose of his life is that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. In what ways has faith given you life and vitality?
  3. Jesus said that he was sent to save and not to condemn. Remember what has helped you to see God as one who is fundamentally on your side in life, a God to be trusted and relied on rather than feared.
  4. In presenting the purpose of his life as salvation rather than condemnation, Jesus tells us something about the purpose of every human life. It is to be life-giving, rather than destructive of life. Recall times your life was enriched by the words or actions of another. Remember also when you were able to do the same for another person.

This is a great feast, offering a rare opportunity outside of Lent and Holy Week to reflect on “the great events that give us new life in Christ.” In particular, John’s Gospel presents us with an alternative to the standard western doctrine of redemption (“penal substitution)”