Reader’s Guide: “The Word for Today” Friday, January 31, 2014 Read John 3:31-36 The commentary in these verses is not attached to an episode which is a bit unusual for John but they sound a lot like the commentary that unfolded in the conclusion of the Nicodemus episode. Clearly these are words of the narrator. Perhaps they are a segment of the preaching of the eyewitness who stands behind this gospel. The message of the text is clear and carries forward the same message as the Prologue and as the commentary at the conclusion of the Nicodemus incident. Jesus is from above and to know Jesus is to accept this truth. Whoever believes this about Jesus has the eternal life that Jesus comes to give to such believers. It is almost as if this is a doctrinal statement of the community of John. What is proclaimed here is correct thinking and correct belief. To think or believe otherwise is to be outside the community. John is being very theological at this point. This is not really narrative but theology. We will find nothing quite like this in any of the other gospels. In a way these words interrupt the story but that does not make them any less important. We will do well to listen to them and ponder their meaning.