Fourth Sunday of Lent

 2Chronicles 36:1-16,19-23     Ephesians2:4-10     John 3:14-21

John, writing a generation after the destruction of the Temple by the Romans, emphasized salvation; not through sacrifice in the Temple or scrupulously following the Law, but through the agency of God’s only Son and our faith in Him. Jesus assures us that he didn’t come to condemn the world; He came to lead us out of darkness. But we can be certain that those who followed him while he was still walking this earth had to wrestle with these words. They didn’t have John the evangelist interpreting for them. In today's Gospel, put yourself into Nicodemus' shoes.

Nicodemus here, but you can call me Nick. Now rabbi, did you just say, “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him might be saved?” No committees. No vote by the Sanhedrin. Just believe in him.

“Whoever believes in him will not be condemned?” That’s it? What’s the catch? There must be a ton of paperwork and a bunch of new commandments. I think 613 commandments are plenty, but the Law is starting to look like the tax code. We’re so used to defining ourselves in terms of the Law. We see our defeats as punishments for not keeping the Law.

“God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him?” Okay. I think I see what you’re saying. He’s going to lead us to salvation, like Moses led our ancestors to the Promised Land. Is that it?

“The light came into the world and whoever lives in truth comes to the light?” Do you mean that he’ll be clearly visible and will lead us to salvation? All we have to do is follow him to victory?

Yes and no? The victory comes in living the truth, living the good works God has prepared for us? That’s a little profound for me. I’m going to have to think about it. If what you say is true, it would be life changing.

Q: How has Jesus, his teachings and my belief in him changed my life?

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