John 3:1-17
1Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” 3Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 11“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. 12If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
___________________________________
In his conversation with Jesus, “Nico” ends up very confused—and we were too. But Jesus summarized his points well for all of us at the end in verses 16-17.
Jesus came into the world for our benefit, out of God’s great love for us. God doesn’t see the world the way we do—God’s judgment does not condemn, it grants mercy and eternal life. Where we react with anger, God reacts with grace.
Because of that, we can live with the assurance that God always forgives us when we mess up. And even when we fail to love God, others, and ourselves, God still loves us—always and no matter what.
Prayer: Good and Gracious God, thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ, who saves us from sin and death, surrounds us with unconditional love, and lifts us up to eternal life with You. Amen.
—The 2022/2023 Confirmation Class: Niklas Anderson, Kiya Losinski, Noah Mattson, Eli Betlock, Kingston Fast, Sofia Oman, Teo Sivanich, Caroline Stockinger