John 3:1-17 (NRSV)
Read John 3:1-17 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 3Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. Verse 2He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God." Verse 3Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." Verse 4Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?" Verse 5Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. Verse 6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Verse 7Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.' Verse 8The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." Verse 9Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" Verse 10Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? Verse 11"Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. Verse 12If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? Verse 13No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. Verse 14And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, Verse 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. Verse 16"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Verse 17"Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Devotion
Capture the Flag is an outdoor game I enjoyed as a child. In the game players on one team try to avoid capture and find the opposing team's hidden flag. Those who get caught, as I often did, sit in "jail,” wait to be freed or wait for the game to end. In a triumphant moment, a victorious competitor raises the flag and shouts, "all ye, all ye, in come free." To everyone searching in the dark it means "come home safely." To all the captured it is a word of liberation – we start over; it's a new beginning.
Jesus tells Nicodemus that all must be "born from above," and we hear a "do-over" word of liberation. As ones lost and in bondage, we cannot bring about our own emancipation. We receive it like the cry of the game. Jesus offers the fresh start we need, and the words we long to hear-"all ye, all ye, in come free!"
Prayer
Transforming God, Bring us into newness of life and shape us in your love. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.