John 3:14-21 (NRSV)
Read John 3:14-21 on biblegateway.com
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. Verse 18Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. Verse 19And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. Verse 20For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. Verse 21But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God."
Devotion
I've always had a deep appreciation for Lent. For me, it's a time to reflect on and wrestle with the darkness in my personal life and the world around me. Through the honesty and discomfort, Lent teases out my need for a savior. Lent leads me to the weight of the cross on Good Friday—and just when I don't think my heart can take it anymore, Easter comes. My heart feels both literally and figuratively lightened. I have come to rely on this beautiful and complex cycle.
The cycle of Lent makes space for me to yearn for Easter and welcome the resurrected light that is continually reaching out and drawing me into relationship.
Prayer
Lord, on this Lenten journey, break my heart open and expose my need for the light of your love. Amen.