March 9, 2015: John 3:14-21

We encourage you to read this devotion three times a day.  Start in the morning and reflect upon the morning reflection question. Then in the afternoon, read it again and reflect using the noon question for reflection.  For the evening, take time to ponder how this has resonated with you in the day and reflecting using the evening question.  We offer a prayer with each devotion for you to pray or we invite you to pray what is in your heart.

John 3:14-21

Let Hope Shine

¹⁴ Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, ¹⁵ that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”^[b]

¹⁶ 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. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. ¹⁹ This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.²⁰ Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. ²¹ But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

Reflection:

We all need contrast in our lives- light and darkness, helpful and harmful things.  Jesus continues to draw us into a relationship with God.  He clarifies kingdom things.  He brings into a unveiled truth about humanity.  We are all broken.  There is a lot of darkness in every life.  However, Jesus leaves us with a word of hope.  Note verse 21.  There is still hope for us all.  Jesus calls us to the carpet with our struggles.  We cannot forget that there is always hope, always light, always Jesus is present even when he seems silent.  

Reflection Questions:

Morning: What is the biggest “darkness” in your life right now? How might Jesus be bringing hope in that?

Noon: How is Jesus clarifying your spiritual life of faith?

Evening:After your day, how is Jesus present in your life?

How is hope present in your life?