Day 123

Judges 17:1–18:31; John 3:1-21; Psalm 104:1-23; Proverbs 14:20-21

TODAY, WE READ perhaps the most famous of all Scriptures in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world . . .” (ESV).

We can each probably quote it from memory. What may be less known is its context. Before it became a famous verse, it was part of a conversation. Jesus said the words about His Father as part of a broader discussion with a religious leader named Nicodemus, who had come under the cover of darkness to speak with Him. Jesus said that Nicodemus would never see the Kingdom of God unless he was born again. Nicodemus responded with obvious confusion.

This short conversation is essentially the heart of the gospel. Jesus told Nicodemus that there is a physical birth (of water) and a spiritual birth (of spirit) (John 3:5). “The Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life” (John 3:6), and this spiritual life is eternal. This is what being “born again” means: the reintegration of the Spirit of God within a human being.

“For this is how God loved the world,” Jesus said. “He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Our pure-hearted belief in Jesus alters the trajectory of our lives and awakens new life within us, and our true affirmation of this fact opens our hearts to God’s Spirit within.

“God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him,” Jesus continued. “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed” (John 3:17-20).

That last paragraph, straight from Jesus’ lips, gives us much to contemplate. Those who truly believe have no judgment against them. Anyone who does not believe is already experiencing judgment. It’s easy enough to see this reality in the world. People love the darkness more than the light because the light exposes the truth about them.

What are you afraid of having exposed? That is what is pulling you toward the darkness. Invite the eternal Spirit of God that Jesus spoke of in John 3 today to shine the light of truth within you, for it is the truth that will set you free (John 8:32).

MEDITATION:

It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor; blessed are those who help the poor.