In the middle of January it is imperative to dress in layers. The past week a bitter cold blasted its way through the mid-section of the US and even sank its icy claws into the citrus crops in Florida. That meant layers of warm winter clothing were necessary just to survive. Layers help us in two ways. First, they block cold air from penetrating to our skin. Second, they keep skin-warmed air trapped next to our body, which is the real source of the warmth. Not the layers, but the heat from our bodies keeps us warm. Layers help us create natural insulation, our own personal environment, encircling and protecting us from a harsh world.

John’s gospel creates a new world layered with divine intention. It’s a world where every action, every sign, every utterance works together, building a new …