Journey to the Cross

Pause

God is doing things in us and through us each and every day, whether we know it or not.

Listen: God’s voice offers a new perspective.

How will you listen and be changed?

Listen

Nicodemus asked, “How is it possible for an adult to be born? It’s impossible to enter the mother’s womb for a second time and be born, isn’t it?”

Jesus answered, “I assure you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom. Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

John 3:4-6

Think

There are a lot of metaphors in the Bible. This is wonderful, because it encourages us to use our imagination as we explore the many possible meanings of Scripture. It can be frustrating, too, because as Nicodemus says, we can’t be born again from the womb!

Since we can’t take this image of new birth literally, how do we understand it? Jesus says we must be born of water and the Spirit, instead of the flesh. We are to be born again in Spirit, which may mean understanding things in a whole new way because of Jesus. If we are born again in the Spirit, every decision we make and the way we see the world is impacted by Jesus’ radical command to love our neighbor as ourselves. Taking this seriously will change us forever, sometimes as if we were a new person.

Kristen Pope

Pray

God of the Spirit, help me to use my imagination to see all the possibilities you have given me in the Bible. You want me to be made new in your love, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a better person because of you. Be with me as I boldly become who I am called to be, a new person seeking the kingdom. Amen.

Go

Allow yourself to be open to the Spirit’s work in your heart.

Get comfortable with not knowing all the answers, placing your trust in God.

Go forth, born anew in the promise of God’s unconditional love.