Third Sunday of the Epiphany Season-Nicodemus and his encounter with Jesus
Gospel: John 3:1-16
a Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him.” 3Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born* from above.”
4Nicodemus said to him, “How can a person once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?” 5Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. 7Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8The wind* blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9Nicodemus answered and said to him, “How can this happen?”
10Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this?
11Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony.
12If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?
13No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. 14And just as Moses lifted up* the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”
16For God so loved the world that he gave* his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.
Reflection 1
From Darkness to Light-The Spiritual Journey of Nicodemus
We are in the third Sunday of the Epiphany season, and today we encounter Nicodemus coming to Jesus at night. John is the only gospel that recounts this encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus.
Nicodemus approached Jesus at night perhaps he feared the news might reach the chief priests, and they would rise up even more against Jesus, or that the chief priests and Pharisees would harm him as well. Perhaps his faith was lacking, as he was drawn to Jesus' person, but had not yet come to know Him intimately or recognised the truth that He is the Light of the world. He was a Jewish leader and a teacher of Israel, in need of the new birth to understand new concepts of the messianic kingdom. In the weakness of his faith, he came at night, and found his Lord’s heart open to him, without a single word of criticism. His faith was like a living mustard seed that grew and became a great tree when Jesus died, and he courageously came forward to request Jesus' body.
Born from Above: The Spiritual Transformation
Many of us, in our workplaces and daily lives, may feel tempted to hide our faith or keep it secret, much like Nicodemus did. Yet, though Nicodemus initially approached Jesus in the darkness, he recognised something extraordinary in Him. His faith grew, and he moved from hiding his belief to openly defending Jesus before the Pharisees.
Nicodemus is mentioned three times in the Gospel of John. The first is in John 3, when he came to Jesus at night. The second is in John 7, when he defended Jesus before the Pharisees and chief priests. The third is in John 19, when he helped Joseph of Arimathea prepare Jesus’ body for burial.
Nicodemus’ journey mirrors the spiritual journey many of us take: starting in the dark but gradually moving toward the light of Christ and His truth.
This passage reminds us that our faith journey begins not with mere knowledge, but with a profound, spiritual transformation—a rebirth through baptism, where we are cleansed from sin and made new in Christ.
May we follow Nicodemus’ example—being born again in the Spirit, growing in faith, and eventually proclaiming, as he did, that Christ is our light. May we be invited to live in His light, witnessing to His truth in both our hearts and in the world around us.
The New Birth-From Flesh to Spirit
Just as a fetus in the womb cannot see the world or experience it until born, a person cannot behold the Kingdom of God or carry the experiences of heaven unless they are born again from above, to see the light of the new world and live in it. This new birth is not a physical rebirth, but a spiritual one, accomplished through the work of the Holy Spirit. It involves the sanctification of the Spirit (1 Peter 1:2) and the inner washing of the soul (Titus 3:5). The birth of water and the Spirit signifies a death to bodily life, a burial of the old self, and an acceptance of communion with Christ.
Thought for the week
How is God inviting us to embrace His Spirit anew, to move beyond our old ways, and to walk in the light of His love and truth?
Reflection 2
Spiritual transformation
John’s Gospel for the third Sunday after Epiphany features a nightly conversation between two important religious teachers: a notable “teacher of Israel” named Nicodemus, and Our Lord Jesus.
John’s gospel has many symbolic expressions and is full of imagery that bear deep spiritual meaning. In today’s gospel, we see some of the symbolic expressions that invite us to a deeper level of thinking like “came to Jesus by night”, “born from above” (spiritual birth) and wind (Holy Spirit).
Nicodemus was a Pharisee, and a leader of the Jews. He was a member of the Sanhedrin, which was the ruling body of the Jews.
We see Nicodemus only in the gospel of John. The first mention to Nicodemus in the Bible is when he came to speak with Jesus at night.
He next appears in the Sanhedrim offering a word in defense of Jesus.
The final mention of Nicodemus in the Bible is at the end of John’s gospel when he assisted Joseph of Arimathea in Jesus’ burial.
Nicodemus was in the dark because he was ignorant and his ignorance didn’t allow him to see that Jesus is talking about spiritual rebirth. However, after his encounter with Jesus, he had a radical change and spiritual transformation.
Whoever is seeking Jesus in hope and faith doesn’t stay in darkness because His light will dispel every darkness.
Light and darkness
In this gospel passage, we witness the interaction between Nicodemus and Jesus. Nicodemus; who was probably a member of the Jewish court at the time (thus was among people unbelieving of Jesus’ testimony), approaches Jesus “by night”. The motif of light and darkness is littered throughout the passage. Nicodemus’ approach is highlighted in this way to link the response that Jesus makes towards the end of the passage. Firstly, Jesus exclaims that we ought to be “born again of the spirit” in order to receive eternal life. In other words, Jesus claims that we must be witness to the testimony of Jesus through spirit and mind in order to reap the rewards waiting for us. Towards the end of the passage, Jesus claims that “everyone who does evil hates the light”, and does not wish to expose themselves in the light. This is the link back to Nicodemus’ initial approach that the gospel wishes to highlight. By approaching Jesus at night, Nicodemus illustrates that he fears persecution from those around him, those that do not believe in Jesus’ testimony. He is thus witness to darkness. Jesus wishes to highlight that we must strive away from darkness, and steer towards light, light which resembles truth, light which resembles openness, light which resembles Christ’s testimony, and light which resembles Christ Himself. By M.A
Thought for the week
Our understanding is limited and we are ignorant if we think our mind can understand everything.
Reflection 3
Nicodemus and the light
The Gospel for the Third Sunday after Epiphany features a significant conversation between two key religious figures: Nicodemus, a prominent "teacher of Israel," and Jesus. Nicodemus is mentioned only by John. He was a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish Supreme Court, the Sanhedrin. Nicodemus had heard about the miracles and the wonderful things that Jesus did, but wanted to speak with Him in order to truly understand. Despite his high rank, Nicodemus opted to speak with Jesus himself.
At the beginning of John’s Gospel, we encounter Nicodemus in the darkness of night. His coming to Jesus secretly at night suggests the darkness of unbelief. The darkness also symbolizes Nicodemus’ fear and ignorance. However, by the end of the Gospel, we find him walking in the light, carrying the blessed body of Jesus, placing it in the tomb of Resurrection.
Knowing God
Knowing God is far more than simply gathering theological information or data about Him. When Jesus speaks of being "born again from above," He is not referring to the need to re-enter the mother’s womb for a second time. Rather, He speaks of a spiritual rebirth made possible by the Holy Spirit—a new life that transcends mere intellectual knowledge, inviting a deeper, transformative encounter with God.
A thought for the week- Conversion to the way of Jesus
Christ wants us to hear His words and “act on them.” What He desires is change. Christ is moving us from the familiar to the unknown. A request He knows fills us with fear! Another way for Christ to speak these words is: “Do it differently!” He might continue: “If we haven’t forgiven, then forgive. If we ignore others, be more attentive. If we criticize try praise.” And His promise for such change is a life built on a strong foundation and lived wisely. By Gwen Simon
References
The conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus is one of the most significant dialogues of the New Testament and his coming to Jesus secretly at night suggests the darkness of unbelief. The whole visit and conversation are shrouded in ambiguity and the Johannine penchant for strong contrasts such as darkness and light can be seen in this highly symbolic story.
Jesus speaks to Nicodemus of the need to experience the presence of God and offer oneself to him. Knowing God is much more than a gathering of theological information and data about him. In speaking about being born again from above, Jesus does not mean that one must reenter the mother's womb for a second time; but Jesus refers to a rebirth, which the Spirit of God makes possible.
What lesson does Nicodemus teach us today? He alerts us to what happens when we buy into a system and try to "master" theology, scripture, tradition, rules and regulations. He teaches us that courses in religion and theology are no substitute for faith and conviction. For Nicodemus, God is much more than information and data -- God is first and foremost a friend, a lover, a Lord and a Savior, who patiently waits for us by day, and even by night. Rather than approaching Scripture as something to master, we must allow the Word of God to master us. By Father Thomas Rosica
http://saltandlighttv.org/blogfeed/getpost.php?id=80039
Reference: saltandlighttv.org
Gospel: John 3:1-16
a Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him.” 3Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born* from above.”
4Nicodemus said to him, “How can a person once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?” 5Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. 7Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8The wind* blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9Nicodemus answered and said to him, “How can this happen?”
10Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this?
11Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony.
12If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?
13No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. 14And just as Moses lifted up* the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”
16For God so loved the world that he gave* his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.
Reflection 1
From Darkness to Light-The Spiritual Journey of Nicodemus
We are in the third Sunday of the Epiphany season, and today we encounter Nicodemus coming to Jesus at night. John is the only gospel that recounts this encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus.
Nicodemus approached Jesus at night perhaps he feared the news might reach the chief priests, and they would rise up even more against Jesus, or that the chief priests and Pharisees would harm him as well. Perhaps his faith was lacking, as he was drawn to Jesus' person, but had not yet come to know Him intimately or recognised the truth that He is the Light of the world. He was a Jewish leader and a teacher of Israel, in need of the new birth to understand new concepts of the messianic kingdom. In the weakness of his faith, he came at night, and found his Lord’s heart open to him, without a single word of criticism. His faith was like a living mustard seed that grew and became a great tree when Jesus died, and he courageously came forward to request Jesus' body.
Born from Above: The Spiritual Transformation
Many of us, in our workplaces and daily lives, may feel tempted to hide our faith or keep it secret, much like Nicodemus did. Yet, though Nicodemus initially approached Jesus in the darkness, he recognised something extraordinary in Him. His faith grew, and he moved from hiding his belief to openly defending Jesus before the Pharisees.
Nicodemus is mentioned three times in the Gospel of John. The first is in John 3, when he came to Jesus at night. The second is in John 7, when he defended Jesus before the Pharisees and chief priests. The third is in John 19, when he helped Joseph of Arimathea prepare Jesus’ body for burial.
Nicodemus’ journey mirrors the spiritual journey many of us take: starting in the dark but gradually moving toward the light of Christ and His truth.
This passage reminds us that our faith journey begins not with mere knowledge, but with a profound, spiritual transformation—a rebirth through baptism, where we are cleansed from sin and made new in Christ.
May we follow Nicodemus’ example—being born again in the Spirit, growing in faith, and eventually proclaiming, as he did, that Christ is our light. May we be invited to live in His light, witnessing to His truth in both our hearts and in the world around us.
The New Birth-From Flesh to Spirit
Just as a fetus in the womb cannot see the world or experience it until born, a person cannot behold the Kingdom of God or carry the experiences of heaven unless they are born again from above, to see the light of the new world and live in it. This new birth is not a physical rebirth, but a spiritual one, accomplished through the work of the Holy Spirit. It involves the sanctification of the Spirit (1 Peter 1:2) and the inner washing of the soul (Titus 3:5). The birth of water and the Spirit signifies a death to bodily life, a burial of the old self, and an acceptance of communion with Christ.
Thought for the week
How is God inviting us to embrace His Spirit anew, to move beyond our old ways, and to walk in the light of His love and truth?
Reflection 2
Spiritual transformation
John’s Gospel for the third Sunday after Epiphany features a nightly conversation between two important religious teachers: a notable “teacher of Israel” named Nicodemus, and Our Lord Jesus.
John’s gospel has many symbolic expressions and is full of imagery that bear deep spiritual meaning. In today’s gospel, we see some of the symbolic expressions that invite us to a deeper level of thinking like “came to Jesus by night”, “born from above” (spiritual birth) and wind (Holy Spirit).
Nicodemus was a Pharisee, and a leader of the Jews. He was a member of the Sanhedrin, which was the ruling body of the Jews.
We see Nicodemus only in the gospel of John. The first mention to Nicodemus in the Bible is when he came to speak with Jesus at night.
He next appears in the Sanhedrim offering a word in defense of Jesus.
The final mention of Nicodemus in the Bible is at the end of John’s gospel when he assisted Joseph of Arimathea in Jesus’ burial.
Nicodemus was in the dark because he was ignorant and his ignorance didn’t allow him to see that Jesus is talking about spiritual rebirth. However, after his encounter with Jesus, he had a radical change and spiritual transformation.
Whoever is seeking Jesus in hope and faith doesn’t stay in darkness because His light will dispel every darkness.
Light and darkness
In this gospel passage, we witness the interaction between Nicodemus and Jesus. Nicodemus; who was probably a member of the Jewish court at the time (thus was among people unbelieving of Jesus’ testimony), approaches Jesus “by night”. The motif of light and darkness is littered throughout the passage. Nicodemus’ approach is highlighted in this way to link the response that Jesus makes towards the end of the passage. Firstly, Jesus exclaims that we ought to be “born again of the spirit” in order to receive eternal life. In other words, Jesus claims that we must be witness to the testimony of Jesus through spirit and mind in order to reap the rewards waiting for us. Towards the end of the passage, Jesus claims that “everyone who does evil hates the light”, and does not wish to expose themselves in the light. This is the link back to Nicodemus’ initial approach that the gospel wishes to highlight. By approaching Jesus at night, Nicodemus illustrates that he fears persecution from those around him, those that do not believe in Jesus’ testimony. He is thus witness to darkness. Jesus wishes to highlight that we must strive away from darkness, and steer towards light, light which resembles truth, light which resembles openness, light which resembles Christ’s testimony, and light which resembles Christ Himself. By M.A
Thought for the week
Our understanding is limited and we are ignorant if we think our mind can understand everything.
Reflection 3
Nicodemus and the light
The Gospel for the Third Sunday after Epiphany features a significant conversation between two key religious figures: Nicodemus, a prominent "teacher of Israel," and Jesus. Nicodemus is mentioned only by John. He was a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish Supreme Court, the Sanhedrin. Nicodemus had heard about the miracles and the wonderful things that Jesus did, but wanted to speak with Him in order to truly understand. Despite his high rank, Nicodemus opted to speak with Jesus himself.
At the beginning of John’s Gospel, we encounter Nicodemus in the darkness of night. His coming to Jesus secretly at night suggests the darkness of unbelief. The darkness also symbolizes Nicodemus’ fear and ignorance. However, by the end of the Gospel, we find him walking in the light, carrying the blessed body of Jesus, placing it in the tomb of Resurrection.
Knowing God
Knowing God is far more than simply gathering theological information or data about Him. When Jesus speaks of being "born again from above," He is not referring to the need to re-enter the mother’s womb for a second time. Rather, He speaks of a spiritual rebirth made possible by the Holy Spirit—a new life that transcends mere intellectual knowledge, inviting a deeper, transformative encounter with God.
A thought for the week- Conversion to the way of Jesus
Christ wants us to hear His words and “act on them.” What He desires is change. Christ is moving us from the familiar to the unknown. A request He knows fills us with fear! Another way for Christ to speak these words is: “Do it differently!” He might continue: “If we haven’t forgiven, then forgive. If we ignore others, be more attentive. If we criticize try praise.” And His promise for such change is a life built on a strong foundation and lived wisely. By Gwen Simon
References
The conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus is one of the most significant dialogues of the New Testament and his coming to Jesus secretly at night suggests the darkness of unbelief. The whole visit and conversation are shrouded in ambiguity and the Johannine penchant for strong contrasts such as darkness and light can be seen in this highly symbolic story.
Jesus speaks to Nicodemus of the need to experience the presence of God and offer oneself to him. Knowing God is much more than a gathering of theological information and data about him. In speaking about being born again from above, Jesus does not mean that one must reenter the mother's womb for a second time; but Jesus refers to a rebirth, which the Spirit of God makes possible.
What lesson does Nicodemus teach us today? He alerts us to what happens when we buy into a system and try to "master" theology, scripture, tradition, rules and regulations. He teaches us that courses in religion and theology are no substitute for faith and conviction. For Nicodemus, God is much more than information and data -- God is first and foremost a friend, a lover, a Lord and a Savior, who patiently waits for us by day, and even by night. Rather than approaching Scripture as something to master, we must allow the Word of God to master us. By Father Thomas Rosica
http://saltandlighttv.org/blogfeed/getpost.php?id=80039
Reference: saltandlighttv.org