Date: Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Scripture Text: John 3:13-17
Jesus said to Nicodemus:
“No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
Breaking the text open – background and summary:
The gospel text for today, taken from the Gospel of John’s recounting of Jesus’ nighttime conversation with Nicodemus, affirms that Jesus must give His life to save our lives. Jesus also illuminates Nicodemus’ understanding of the LORD’s mercy. Though Jesus’ sacrifice is necessitated by humanity’s sinfulness, Jesus wasn’t sent to “condemn” but rather to redeem.
Meditating on the text with personal questions:
Do I believe in Jesus Christ, Son of God, and in the gift poured out to me through His selfless sacrifice?
Praying:
LORD, Almighty Father, You sent your beloved and only-begotten Son to dwell among us and to empty himself and humble himself as our human brother. You did not send Him to condemn me but rather to redeem me. You love us so much that You gave your Son to bring us eternal life through his selfless sacrifice upon the cross of Calvary. Send your Spirit to open my mind, my heart, and my soul wholly to your transformative love and to the transformative love of your beloved Son through whom I gain access to eternal life with You. Grant that my belief in Him may never diminish and my love for Him may never wane. I ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.
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