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Gospel: John 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.
The Gospel of the Lord.
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Throughout the Bible there is one fundamental choice to make, to choose either life or death. We see this choice unfolding first with Adam and Eve, who disobeyed God by eating from the tree of knowledge. They chose death and sin entered the world.
This same choice later came through God’s covenants with Israel. While God was always faithful to his end of the agreement, Israel repeatedly broke theirs.
Think of their worshipping the golden calf, which explicitly broke God’s commandment, “You shall have no other gods but me.”
As a result of Israel’s infidelity, they were enslaved and sent into exile. Even their capital, Jerusalem, and the Temple where God once dwelt was destroyed… twice.
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In today’s Gospel, John sets before us the very same choice, to choose either life or death. Only this time, God is not speaking behind a cloud or a burning bush, nor is he using the mouths of the prophets. He is speaking through his only begotten Son.
“The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him,” Jesus says. “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.”
What, then, does it mean to choose life?
We as individuals, and as a collective body, the Church, must remember our history. From the beginning of time, we have proven ourselves to be unreliable and weak. We cannot choose life, nor can we prosper, without complete reliance upon God.
Yet, it seems that humanity must be reminded from time to time that no other figure in this world can offer us salvation, although some have tried. When given the choice, choose God. Choose life.
As Jesus teaches us in his first public sermon, “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” meaning, happy are those who understand their need for God.
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Still, we who choose life should never become righteous or judgmental people. As Saint Paul says, “Be patient with the scruples of those whose faith is weak.” Choosing life means being humble, patient, loving, forgiving, kind, merciful, and compassionate.
Not because we are able to do so on our own, but because of God’s Spirit working within us.
I set before you either life or death. Choose life.
What does that look like for us today?
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Image credits: (1) Bridge Community Church (2) Learn Religions (3) The Center for Advancement of Christian Education