Listen

Nicodemus said, “How are these things possible?”

Jesus answered, “You are a teacher of Israel and you don’t know these things?”

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so must the Human One be lifted up so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life. God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him won’t perish but will have eternal life. God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

John 3:9-10, 14-17

Think

My fingers twitched as I stood nervously in front of the youth pastor and my small group leader. I took a deep breath and recited the chapter of the Bible I’d spent months memorizing. Though I couldn’t repeat one word from the passage now, (please don’t ask), my youth group helped me see that memorizing scripture strengthened my journey of faith. Eventually, I came to understand the passages I knew as part of the bigger story of God and humanity.

John 3:16 is probably the most memorized Bible verse. I wonder if most people know it comes from a bigger conversation, that it’s part of Jesus’ response to Nicodemus’ deep questions. Jesus wants Nicodemus to know the things he thinks are impossible are happening right here, right now. God’s love for the world is revealed in Jesus. Jesus comes to invite all people into a relationship with him, including those like Nicodemus who don’t quite understand. The Gospel is good news because it declares without reservation that God is for us — all of us.

Jennie Barber

Pray

Loving God, let the good news of the Gospel be just that. Let it draw me deeper into the truth of your love for me and the world. Help me share this good and glorious news with others. Amen.

Go

Walk in the wild, beautiful, holy life of the Spirit!

And trust…

The creative Spirit that hovered over the waters molds you.

The promised Spirit that Jesus breathed on his disciples fills you.

The powerful Spirit that poured out on the early church calls you.