I
can only imagine Jesus is preparing the ground for the main event that is fast
approaching. He just told Nicodemus that
there are things he wants to tell him but he is hesitating because Nicodemus is
struggling so much with the basics. In
this passage he restates what he told him earlier in verse 11. He is describing first hand experiences. He goes as far as associating himself with
the title "Son of Man." It
isn't explicit, but Nicodemus would have little option but to understand the
association.
Every
utterance Jesus shares adds to the previous.
He is beginning to address themes that make his earlier statements pale
by comparison. His somewhat cryptic
statement regarding the one who comes from heaven as being the only one who has
been in heaven is challenging when you begin to consider what he means. In one swift swoop he equates himself with
God and identifies himself as one with humanity. But Jesus is also saying that by virtue of
those two realities, he is in the best position to share heavenly truths with
Nicodemus, and by extension, all of humanity.
Grasping
spiritual concepts is impossible to me.
In fact they are foreign to my carnal and natural mind. Even if I understand a concept philosophically,
I can still not internalize it into a life-changing experience without the influence
and intervention of the Spirit of God.
The good news is that the One who knows best my condition and God's
compassion is personally and intimately knowledgeable and acquainted with
both-- because he is Son of God and Son of Man.
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