Condemned Already (John 3:18)

In chapter 3 of John’s Gospel, Jesus has a discussion with Nicodemus.  Nicodemus is a leader in the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council in Jerusalem.  The normal lectionary text for today only goes to verse 17, which I think is somewhat unfortunate, because that cuts off Jesus mid-speech and leaves an important part out of it.  Verses 18 through 21 provide important context where Jesus says, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because...