4th Sunday in Lent: WE ARE INCLUDED IN THE STORY OF GOD

Scripture:   John 3:14-21 

Focus on the Word

Jesus has a unique way of taking us right into the heart of the Father, where He shows us the depth and scope of God’s Love.  It is a love that brings us into abundant and eternal life.  Jesus didn’t come to judge people. He came to save them.  Knowing full well that people love darkness rather than light, Jesus came and brought the light of God into the darkness.  Jesus calls us to the Light and challenges us to practice the truth we see when we stand in the light.  

We might be broken and imperfect people but Jesus comes to us and shines the light of God into our story.  In the shining light we see truth, and in the truth we are set free (John 8:32, NASB).  

We are a Children-of-light people. Psalm 119:105 says to God, “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.”  Jesus said John 8:12, “I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” I John 1:7 says, “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleans us from all sin.  

On this Sunday in Lent we journey forward in the light of God, taking whatever the journey brings, knowing that God is about light and truth, guidance and direction.  Jesus doesn’t write us off.  Instead He fills our lives with His light and includes us in the story of God.

Today’s Prayer

Gracious God, whose mercy is higher than the heavens,  wider than our wanderings, and deeper than all our sin: Receive again your bewildered and broken people. Forgive our folly and our excess, our coldness to human sorrow, our passion for things of the moment. Change our hearts and turn all our desires to your way, that we may love what you love and do what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

(From the Reformed Church in America)