Daily Devotion, September 22, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read John 3:16-17.

Surrounding these beloved verses is the story of the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council. Nicodemus came at night for this conversation with Jesus. I believe Nicodemus was seeking assurance that Jesus had been sent from God. And I believe Jesus recognized Nicodemus‘ need for assurance. We are not told what Nicodemus was thinking after his conversation with Jesus.

But, we hear about Nicodemus again in John 7 and in John 19. In John 7, Nicodemus is a part of the Pharisees, but stands up for Jesus, asking, “’Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?’ The other Pharisees replied, ‘Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.’”

Then in John 19, it is Nicodemus who helped with Jesus' burial and brought the generous gift of seventy-five pounds of myrrh and aloes. Not only did Nicodemus bring the spices, but he must have given witness of his conversation with Jesus, such that it is a gift for us today. Dr. Gail R.O’ Day writes, “The God revealed in Jesus is a God whose love knows no bounds and who asks only that one receive the gift.”

Read again the words of John 3:17, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” Dr. O’ Day reflects, “God sends the Son into the world in love in order to save the world, not condemn it.”

We who have been believers in Jesus for many years sometimes are too quick to condemn others. We forget that Jesus’ way was the way of no condemnation. If we are to follow in Jesus’ footsteps, we need to remove our ways of condemnation. One way we show who God is and live God’s love in the world is by not condemning others.

Personal Worship Option:

First, re-read John 3:16-17 and place your name in the places of “the world” and “whoever”. Imagine you are seated across from the table with Jesus and you are hearing Jesus speak these words into your life. New birth from God is possible! Second, ponder your list of condemnations against others. Pray for that list to be transformed to Jesus’ ways of love.