This brief section is from the dialogue of Jesus with Nicodemus, which unfolds the relationship of baptism to faith. Read all of chapter 3 carefully to get the context. (It is likely, though not certain, that vv 13-21 are John’s commentary on the words of Jesus rather than a quotation of them directly.) The whole chapter continues what John the Baptist alluded to in 1:33.

Jesus, as the revelation of the Father, vv 11-16, echoes for us the beginning of the Gospel of John — Jesus is God’s Word made flesh. Why did God reveal himself in this way? The only possible answer is love — he loves us and wants to share his life with us, and this is how he shows it (vv 16-17).

Acceptance and belief, as the condition for salvation, are contrasted with rejection and "love of darkness" as bringing condemnation. The situation of those who have not had the opportunity (as far as we are able to know) to accept or reject Christ is simply not referred to here. This moral imperative is for those who hear the word of Christ, but it also involves a serious obligation on the followers of Jesus to make that word known. It does not, however, give us the right to judge the salvation or condemnation of anyone else.

A person’s name identifies him or her. Here YAHWEH (which means "He Who Is") is affirmed as Israel’s God. This name (see Ex 3:14) points to the oneness of God in distinction to the many gods of other nations. Jesus, in turn, reveals this same one God to be a Trinity of distinct Persons, sharing their family life with us in knowledge and in love.

Note that a few Bibles, especially the Jerusalem Bible, consistently use the proper name, Yahweh, for God whenever it appears in the Hebrew text. Others, like the New American Bible, translate it more familiarly to us as "the Lord."

These verses are from the magnificent song of the three young men in the fiery furnace, giving voice to the praise of all creation to Yahweh as Lord of all. Response: "Glory and praise for ever!"

The Christian Scriptures, especially the writings of John and Paul, speak of the three divine Persons as intimately sharing their family life with us. And so Christian love, which overcomes obstacles and difficulties, is the sign of union with and in the family life of God.

1. Do the names by which we call God say more about him or about ourselves? Why?

2. What do the titles Father, Son, and Spirit say about our relationship as Christians with God and with one another?