Journey to the Cross

Pause

The world is changing. When time passes between meetings, you see that friends and family are changing too.

And you are changing as well.

In these next moments, open your heart to God, who is seeking more than change in you, but transformation—something truly new.

Listen

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He 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.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”

John 3:1–3

Think

When the electricity goes out at night my immediate reaction is to light a candle and find a flashlight. My eyes (and mind) are accustomed to seeing by artificial light when the sun goes down, so it takes a while for my pupils to open up wide, strain, and focus on finding my way, even in familiar surroundings. The darkness reminds me of the power of light to see things known and unknown.

Not so with Nicodemus. He hides in the shadows. As one who knows much (after all, he is a Pharisee), he still seeks answers. He comes to see Jesus under cover of night, but the deeper darkness of unbelief obscures his vision. He cannot recognize a new vision of what life can be; he seems stuck on what life just is.

Jesus is the light of the world—daytime and nighttime. He meets us in the shadows as well as the sunshine. How does Jesus show you the way whenever you are in the midst of darkness or overcome by shadow?

Sharon Ely Pearson

Pray

Lord, teach me to trust you in the darkness and recognize the signs that you give me to light the way. Help me to be open to new possibilities, new experiences, and new awakenings so I can be a sign to others of your amazing love for the world. Amen.

Go

God's light is powerful, revealing
The way to new life,
A new birth by the power of the Spirit.

Walk into your day, then, with new questions
Received with infinite love,
Leading towards a life of righteousness.

God's steadfast care will provide.