Lent

March 14, 2021

Scripture Reading: John 3:14-21

‘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. Those 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. And this is the judgement, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But 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.’ –John 3:17-21

“You can’t understand someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.” –Anonymous

Part of Jesus’s assignment in his sojourn on earth was to experience what it was like being human. He was first introduced to the trials and tribulations of humanness when he was confronted with worldly temptations.  He wandered in the wilderness for 40 days following his baptism. Being fully human and fully divine was indeed a challenge. I remember years ago, a Star Trek show involving the character Q, who was cast as a relatively uninhibited all-powerful entity who was forced for a time to function in the world without his superpowers. He was accustomed to zapping anything that infringed on his desires, and for a time, he lost that power. He did not handle life situations well during that time, as I recall. 

Jesus came as God with us limited only by the power of love. Everything done in the name of God must be done in love. With a fuller understanding of what it meant to be human, Jesus realized that God’s people needed more light to open their eyes to the advantages of living in God’s love. His death on the cross and subsequent resurrection was the source of that light.

There are times in our lives now when Christ-followers are caught in the darkness as the world can overcome us, but we have the promise that Christ has overcome the world. We merely need to turn around and see that the light of God’s love in the life, death, and resurrection of God’s Son, Jesus the Christ, can illuminate our path.

In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world! –John 16:33

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we turn away from the light of your love. We thus get lost in the darkness of the world ourselves. Remind us that you sent us to be the light of the world. Empower us with your love so that we can spread your vision of a world ruled by love to the ends of the earth. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.