For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

John 3 : 16 - 17

This week’s reading : John 3 : 1 - 17

Thought for the week

Nicodemus came to Jesus by night to ask his questions. He was a Pharisee, yet he was intrigued, disturbed, even challenged by Jesus. Did the answers lie outside the Pharisees own beliefs? Is there so much more to faith than keeping the law and following the rules? Did Jesus really come from God, and more than that, is God?

Nicodemus came by night so he would not be seen. Yet meeting with Jesus and allowing his heart and mind to be opened was life – changing. Later in John’s Gospel, when Jesus’ body was to be taken from the Cross, and His disciples are nowhere to be seen, Nicodemus comes and helps to lay His body in the tomb. Nicodemus has changed from hiding in darkness to publicly standing at the Cross, when others have fled.

Moreover the words Jesus spoke in His private encounter with Nicodemus are now proclaimed around the world, the heart of the Gospel. ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life’.

We are each called to meet with Jesus and allow ourselves to be changed. As we do so, the whole world will know Jesus’ salvation and hope. 

Rev Paul

Prayer for today

Almighty God, you show to those who are in error the light of your truth, that they may return to the way of righteousness: grant to all those who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s religion, that they may reject those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen

God, you loved this world so much that you sent your own son, Jesus Christ to live and die among us, in order that we might have life. Forgive us for keeping that abundant life to ourselves, for jealously hoarding your generous gifts, for choosing self-interest over compassion and justice. Teach us what it means to live as children of the light, generously sharing your abundance with our brothers and sisters in need. Amen.

— Christine Longhurst, posted on the Canadian Foodgrains Bank website.