Sunday, March 14
John 3: 14-21
God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world. (John 3:17)
Do you think of Jesus as a divine accountant? You know, someone who has a ledger and checks to see if you measure up to His exacting, rigorous standards? In today’s Gospel, St. John reminds us that Jesus was sent into the world not to condemn but to save us. He didn’t come to tally up our good deeds and our bad deeds. He came to heal, protect, and rescue us. How can that be?
John 3:14-15 gives us a clue. Yes, we do fall short of God’s commands and His vision for our lives. But rather than justly condemning us, God sent Jesus to be “lifted up” and to give “eternal life” to all who believe in Him. That refers to the story in the Book of Exodus, when the Israelites were being bitten by poisonous snakes for complaining against God. God directed Moses to make a bronze serpent and mount it on a pole so that anyone who looked at it was healed (Numbers 21:4-9).
Like the Israelites, our first step is to acknowledge our need for salvation, even though that may mean facing all the ways we fall short. After all, what could be more convicting than knowing that Jesus bore our own sins on the cross? But like the Israelites, we can look to the answer God gave us: the cross of Jesus.
The salvation Jesus offers us is far greater than the Israelites’ physical healing from snakebites. He heals us spiritually. He forgives us and strengthens us to live differently. He restores us to a right relationship with God. And He gives us a real hope of heaven.
So don’t fall into the trap of thinking of Jesus as an accountant. He is not in the business of condemning, but of offering salvation. Today, gaze on Him, lifted up on the cross. Bring your neediness to Him, and let Him heal and restore you.
”Jesus, help me fix my eyes on You.”
2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23
Psalm 137:1-6
Ephesians 2:4-10
Daily Reflections from “The Word Among Us”
Recorded music remains the property of the Artists/Writers.
No ownership is implied
Our Hymns:
God of Mercy and Compassion
Donne Moi un Coeur Tout Simple
Mi Khamokha – Azi Schwartz
You Raise Me Up – Josh Grobin
