John 8:23 An extraterrestrial visitor?
And He was saying to them, “You are from [realms] below, I am from [realms] above; you are of this world, I am not of this world.
John 8:23 (NASB)
At first reading, Jesus’ words may seem condescending, but I don’t believe that was his intention. To relate his meaning to my own experience, I imagine time-traveling back to the 16th century, armed with knowledge of 21st-century technology, and trying to explain our modern advancements. Discussing Netflix, smartwatches, FaceTime, cell phones, hands-free control with Alexa or Siri, electricity, or space travel would all sound unbelievable. There would be no framework for people of that time to grasp what we have today. I might be considered odd, disturbed, or even ill.
Yet, in a similar manner, those born of the Holy Spirit perceive things beyond others’ comprehension. The Holy Spirit allowed Jesus to experience a realm invisible (and unthinkable) to the Jews. But their lack of sight did not mean Jesus couldn’t see. He could, and he explained reality from a perspective “from above.” When talking to Nicodemus about the Kingdom, Jesus said:
The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.
John 3:8 (NASB)
Heaven and Earth are integrated
Though Jesus was living on Earth, he was filled with the Spirit of God “without measure” or limit, immersed in the unseen realm’s stories, heritage, and structure. The Pharisees couldn’t understand his earlier statement “where I go, you cannot come” and questioned if he would kill himself. They had no framework to understand anything beyond what they could see, feel, and touch. This struggle continues even today.
Living on Earth, our senses inform us about our surroundings. The eyes see a three-dimensional space in which my body moves. My ears hear the sounds around me. My senses help immerse me in Earth’s context. Yet, our spirits were created to simultaneously soar in heaven’s context (both “below” and “above.”) Fully aware of the purpose, destiny, privilege, and authority I have as one who is made in the image of God. To live with only one input limits me to results in a lopsided view. Unfortunately, this is where I sometimes find myself.
Jesus could only explain himself by distinguishing between Earth’s perspective and heaven’s perspective. Even today, explanations about the values of the kingdom might sound bizarre. Those borne of the Spirit seem foolish to others. As stated in 1 Corinthians:
For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18 (NASB)
Just like Christ, I’m invited to live with a more illuminated perspective, including what the eye cannot see:
But God… made us alive together with Christ… and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:4-7
Paul encouraged a heavenly perspective:
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:20
I am not of this world
Jesus was a man, like me, from earth. He was standing before those in the temple inviting people to him and sharing a very unique perspective that only he could have with them, only to be confronted with disbelief. This other worldly comment was about his frame of reference proceeding from his spirit, not physical origin. From birth, he had attachment to the Father — a connectedness and exposure to which none has experienced since Adam. Children from any other parent teach their child from the perspective of earth and fallen man. Jesus’ Father is God, like Adam, and His worldview originated from his relationship with his dad.
Like Christ, today I too may experience my world “from above.” Although I am from this world, its system and thinking, like a child I am learning about a different perspective — a heavenly one. ” While my empathy with others and understanding of physical reality remain, with Christ, I can enjoy realms above. This immersion may cause difficulty, especially with misunderstandings, but if we glimpsed an incredible yet unrealized future, would others believe what we say? I pray they do but expect they won’t.