The pericope from John makes up the first of the Johannine discourses. Excepting the masterful prologue, John's Gospel up to this point has primarily related incidents in short narrative sequences. Now, as Jesus reveals the central message of his life and mission, chatty narrative expands into this serious theological monologue. The typical Johannine discourse formula is followed to the letter in this first pericope. It begins as a dialogue between Jesus and another, in this case Nicodemus. Jesus proclaims a message loaded with double entendre. The other then grossly misinterprets the meaning of Jesus' proclamation. Correcting this misconception takes the form of a long monologue on Jesus' part, where the accurate interpretation of the pronouncement is given and its implications expanded.…