John 3:1-17 (NRSV)
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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
Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness is an important reminder that it takes more than confessing one’s sin to be saved; it requires faith. “So must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” Grace through faith fills us with gratitude for a love so great that God would give his only son “so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”
Filled with the Spirit, we try to fathom a love so deep that Jesus would willingly take all of our sins to the cross. Through his death, resurrection, and ascension we are given the greatest gift of all, forgiveness of sin that restores our relationship with God, making us “heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). We are sent to share the good news about Jesus so “the world might be saved through him.”
Prayer
Merciful God, thank you for loving us so much that you gave your only Son so that everyone who believes in him may be saved. Embolden us, through the Spirit within, to share this good news with others. Amen.
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