On the first three Sundays of Lent, we’ve been considering some noteworthy events in the life of Jesus. This Sunday we turn to John 3:14-21 which contains some of the most well-known verses in Christian theology, particularly regarding the concept of salvation and God’s love for humankind

In this passage, Jesus makes a reference to an incident from the Old Testament, specifically to when Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness. This event is recorded in Numbers 21:4-9, where the Israelites, plagued by venomous snakes, were instructed to look upon a bronze serpent raised on a pole by Moses, and those who looked upon it were saved from death. Jesus uses this historical event as an analogy for his own impending crucifixion. Just as the bronze serpent was lifted to save those who looked upon it, Jesus would be lifted on the cross to bring salvation to all who believe in him.

Verse 16 contains one the most famous and profound statement in the entire Bible: 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. This verse encapsulates the essence of Christian faith, God’s immense love for humankind and his sacrificial gift of Jesus Christ to provide salvation and eternal life to those who believe in him.

The subsequent verses emphasise the purpose of Jesus’ coming into the world; not to condemn it, but to save it. However, it also highlights the human response to Jesus’ message; those who believe in him are not condemned, but those who do not believe stand condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

The passage contrasts light and darkness, righteousness, and sin. Jesus is depicted as the light that has come into the world, but some people prefer darkness because their deeds are evil. This reflects the ongoing spiritual battle between good and evil, belief and unbelief, which is a recurring theme throughout the Gospel of John.

Furthermore, the passage stresses the importance of faith and belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Belief in Jesus is not merely acknowledging his existence or his teachings but involves a deep, personal trust and surrender to him as Lord and Saviour. Those who believe in him are granted eternal life, while those who reject him face judgment.

Overall, John 3:14-21 presents a powerful message about God’s love, the purpose of Jesus’ incarnation, the necessity of faith, and the consequences of unbelief. It’s a foundational passage for Christian theology, encapsulating the core principles of salvation and redemption through Jesus Christ. The passage continues to inspire and challenge us to live lives of faith and obedience to the teachings of Jesus.

In John 2:13-22, often referred to as the Cleansing of the Temple, Jesus enters the Temple in Jerusalem during the Passover feast and finds it filled with merchants selling animals for sacrifices and money changers exchanging currency. Seeing this commercial activity within the sacred space, Jesus becomes outraged, overturning the tables and driving out the sellers, declaring, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade” (John 2:16).

This event serves as a powerful demonstration of Jesus’ authority and zeal for the sanctity of worship. By cleansing the temple, Jesus symbolically purges the corruption that had infiltrated the religious establishment. He challenges the exploitation of religious practices for profit and reaffirms the importance of reverence and purity in approaching God.

The reaction of the religious leaders is mixed. Some question Jesus, asking for a sign to justify his actions, while others, recognising the prophetic significance of his actions, demand an explanation for his authority. Jesus responds cryptically, saying, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). Unaware that he speaks of his own Resurrection, they misunderstand his words, thinking he was referring to the physical temple.

This passage foreshadows Jesus’ ultimate mission and the significance of his Death and Resurrection. The Temple, a central symbol of Jewish worship and identity, becomes a metaphor for Jesus himself. Through his Death and Resurrection, Jesus inaugurates a New Covenant and becomes the ultimate place of encounter with God.

This incident demonstrates Jesus’ passionate response to the desecration of the Temple, highlighting his authority and commitment to true worship. It also lays the groundwork for understanding the deeper spiritual significance of his sacrificial Death and Resurrection.

As you reflect on this passage, what would Jesus be angry about today? What gets in the way of people approaching God in reverence and purity today?

On this Second Sunday of Lent, we consider the moment when Jesus initiated a profound shift in his ministry by speaking openly to the disciples about his impending suffering, death, and resurrection. This moment set the stage for the climax of his earthly mission and underscored the sacrificial nature of his purpose on earth. See Mark 8:31-38 (click on link).

By foretelling his fate, Jesus demonstrated his awareness of God’s plan for redemption and the necessity of his sacrificial death to fulfil that plan.

When Peter reacts with disbelief and attempts to dissuade Jesus from such a fate, Jesus rebukes him sternly, recognising that Peter’s perspective aligns more with human concerns than divine purposes. This might seem harsh, and we can only begin to think how Peter must have felt, but embracing God’s will often contradicts human expectations or desires.

Jesus then extends an invitation to discipleship that emphasises the radical nature of following him. He teaches that true discipleship involves self-denial, taking up one’s cross, and following him faithfully. This call to discipleship requires a willingness to prioritise loyalty to Jesus more than anything else, even if it means enduring suffering, persecution, or martyrdom.

Gaining worldly success or acclaim is ultimately meaningless if it comes at the expense of one’s soul.

As we continue our journey through Lent, Mark 8:31-38 challenges us to count the cost of discipleship and to wholeheartedly commit ourselves to following Jesus, even in the face of adversity. This calls for a radical reorientation of our priorities towards a life of self-sacrifice and devotion to God’s Kingdom.

Let’s use this opportunity to reflect on the central tenets of discipleship: embracing suffering, prioritising God’s will, and forsaking worldly comforts for the sake of eternal salvation.

Mark 1:9-15 is one of the Bible readings associated with the start of Lent in the Christian calendar, it recounts the baptism and temptation of Jesus, key events marking the beginning of his public ministry. Here, we witness the divine affirmation of Jesus’ identity, his submission to God’s will, and his victory over temptation.

The passage begins with Jesus coming from Nazareth to the Jordan River to be baptized by John the Baptist. John’s baptism was a symbol of repentance, but Jesus, being sinless, didn’t need to repent. Nevertheless, he chose to undergo this baptism to fulfil all righteousness and to identify with humanity in our need for redemption. As Jesus emerged from the water, the heavens opened, and the Spirit descended upon him like a dove. This moment signifies the inauguration of Jesus’ ministry and the divine affirmation of his identity as the beloved Son of God.

Immediately following his baptism, the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. This period of temptation lasted forty days, mirroring the forty years the Israelites spent in the wilderness. Jesus faced three temptations from Satan: to turn stones into bread to satisfy his hunger, to test God’s protection by throwing himself off the pinnacle of the temple, and to worship Satan in exchange for dominion over all the kingdoms of the world. In each temptation, Jesus responded with scripture, demonstrating his obedience to God’s will and his authority over temptation.

These temptations represent fundamental challenges to Jesus’ identity and mission. The temptation to turn stones into bread reflects the temptation to prioritize physical needs over spiritual ones, but Jesus affirmed the importance of spiritual sustenance by quoting scripture: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

The temptation to throw himself off the pinnacle of the temple challenges Jesus to test God’s faithfulness, but Jesus countered by affirming that one should not put God to the test.

Finally, the temptation to worship Satan in exchange for worldly power challenges Jesus’ allegiance and mission, but Jesus reaffirmed his commitment to worship and serve God alone, quoting scripture: “You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.”

After successfully overcoming these temptations, Jesus began his ministry in Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God’s Kingdom. He declared, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” This message marked the urgency of repentance and faith in light of the Kingdom’s arrival through Jesus’ ministry.

Through Jesus’ example, we are encouraged to resist temptation, remain obedient to God, and actively participate in the proclamation of the Kingdom of God.

Light is fascinating and mysterious. It travels at incredible speed, yet still takes about eight minutes to reach us from the Sun. It can be understood as a particle, yet also behaves as a wave. But enough of the science lesson. Light profoundly affects our mood and has been a powerful metaphor throughout the ages in all human cultures.

In the poetic opening of the Bible, God said, “Let light shine out of darkness.” In the New Testament, light represents the new creation or new birth as the darkness of sin is dispelled by the light of Jesus, as he brings the light of the knowledge of God’s glory into the human heart.

This brings us neatly to one of this Sunday’s Bible readings in the Church of England’s Lectionary. In 2 Corinthians 4:3–6, the Apostle Paul offers profound insights into the nature of the Christian life, particularly concerning the transformative power of the Gospel message and the spiritual dynamics at play in the hearts of believers and unbelievers alike.

Paul begins by acknowledging the veiled nature of the Gospel message to those who are perishing. He describes how the minds of unbelievers are blinded by the god of this world, referring to Satan or the forces of evil that work to obscure the truth of the Gospel. This spiritual blindness prevents them from recognising the glory of Christ, which shines forth in the Gospel message. Despite the clarity and universality of the Gospel’s offer of salvation, those who remain in unbelief are unable to grasp its significance due to the spiritual blindness that envelops them.

Paul then elaborates on the spiritual battle between light and darkness that is inherent in the proclamation of the Gospel. He asserts that the god of this world has blinded the minds of those who do not believe, thereby obstructing their ability to perceive the light of the Gospel. This blindness is not merely a physical incapacity but a spiritual impediment that stems from the pervasive influence of sin and spiritual forces opposed to God’s truth. As a result, unbelievers remain ensnared in darkness, unable to comprehend the beauty and significance of the Gospel message that offers freedom and reconciliation with God.

In contrast to the spiritual blindness of unbelievers, Paul highlights the proclamation of Jesus Christ as Lord and the work of spreading the Gospel. He affirms that it is not about preaching oneself but about proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord and oneself as a servant for Jesus’ sake. This underscores the humility and selflessness required in sharing the Gospel, focusing not on personal glory but on magnifying the name of Christ. Believers are called to participate in the ongoing mission of making Christ known to the world, recognising that their role is one of service and stewardship in advancing the Kingdom of God.

Paul further emphasises the transformative power of God’s light in the darkness of human hearts. He draws upon the imagery of the creation narrative from Genesis, where God spoke light into existence out of darkness. Similarly, God shines his light into the hearts of believers, illuminating the knowledge of his glory displayed in the face of Jesus Christ. This divine illumination awakens spiritual understanding and leads to the recognition of Christ as the embodiment of God’s glory and grace. Through the Gospel message, God initiates a process of renewal and transformation in the lives of believers, dispelling the darkness of sin and ignorance and replacing it with the radiant light of his truth and love.

On this last Sunday before Lent, 2 Corinthians 4:3–6 offers a compelling portrayal of the Christian life as one marked by the transformative power of the Gospel, the spiritual battle against darkness, and the call to humble service and proclamation of Jesus Christ as Lord. It reminds us of the urgency and importance of our role in sharing the Good News with others, trusting in the illuminating work of God’s Spirit to bring about transformation and renewal in the hearts and minds of those who are lost in darkness.

May the light of Jesus in our hearts shine through our lives into (what often seems like) an increasingly dark world.

Before writing my Sunday devotionals I always look up the Lectionary Bible readings for that day, even if I don’t use them. They are the set passages for use in the Church of England, and they usually have a common theme.

For the Second Sunday before Lent the readings are Proverbs 8:1-4 & 22–31, Psalm 104:26-37, Colossians 1:15–20, and John 1.1–14. You may like to read these passages in your Bible or by clicking the links to read them on Bible Gateway in the New International Version (UK). For this devotional I’m focussing on the last two readings.

Colossians 1:15-20 begins by stating that Jesus is the image of the invisible God and the firstborn over all creation. This means that Jesus is the exact representation of God and has authority over all things. Jesus created all things, both in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, powers, rulers, or authorities. This means that Jesus is not only the creator of all things, but also has authority over all things.

Jesus is then described as the head of the church, which is his body, meaning that Jesus has authority over the church and is the source of its life. Through Jesus, God has reconciled all things to himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through Jesus’ blood shed on the cross. Jesus’ death on the cross was how God made peace with humanity and reconciled all things to himself.

John 1:1-14 (deliberately echoing the beginning of Bible) describes Jesus as the Word, who was with God, and was God from the very beginning. This Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. Jesus, who was previously divine and eternal, became a human being and lived among us, revealing the glory of God to humankind.

Let’s reflect on Jesus: The Word of God, the creator of all things, the source of life and light for humankind, and the one who became flesh and dwelt among us to reveal the glory of God. Or, as The Message paraphrase puts it, the Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood.

Luke 2:22-40 narrates an event in the life of Jesus as a young child, taking place shortly after his birth. This passage offers insights into the religious customs of the time and introduces characters such as Simeon and Anna, who play significant roles in recognising and acknowledging the infant Jesus.

The passage begins with Mary and Joseph bringing the baby Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem, as was customary for Jewish parents to present their firstborn sons to the Lord. This act was in accordance with the law of Moses, reinforcing the devout nature of Jesus’ earthly parents. The law required a sacrifice to be offered during this presentation, and Mary and Joseph bring a pair of doves or two young pigeons, a provision allowed for those who couldn’t afford a lamb.

At the temple, they encounter Simeon, a devout and righteous man who’d been waiting for the consolation of Israel. The Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he wouldn’t die before seeing the Messiah. When Mary and Joseph bring Jesus into the temple, Simeon, guided by the Spirit, takes the child into his arms, and blesses God, recognising Jesus as the fulfilment of God’s promise. Simeon’s words express his readiness to depart in peace since he’s now seen the salvation of the Lord.

In addition to Simeon, a prophet named Anna is present in the temple. She’s described as an elderly widow who spent her days and nights in worship and fasting. Upon seeing Jesus, Anna praises God and speaks about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

The story is a rich narrative that highlights several themes. Firstly, it emphasises the faithful adherence of Mary and Joseph to the religious customs of their time, highlighting their obedience to the Law. Secondly, the encounter with Simeon and Anna underscores the prophetic fulfilment found in Jesus, recognising him as the long-awaited Messiah. Simeon’s acknowledgment that Jesus will bring both salvation and opposition foreshadows the complexities of Jesus’ earthly mission.

The passage also contributes to the broader theological narrative in the Gospel of Luke, which consistently portrays Jesus as the fulfilment of God’s promises to Israel and as a bringer of salvation to both Jews and Gentiles. The inclusion of these devout and spiritually sensitive individuals serves to reinforce the idea that Jesus’ arrival isn’t just a local event, but a momentous occasion with eternal implications.

Despite the profound significance of this story, here’s simple human encounter. It’s on this mundane level that we need to be like Simeon. We need to take Jesus into our arms, embrace him close to our hearts, and allow his spirit to infuse our souls and daily lives.

Today in the Christian calendar we celebrate The Baptism of Christ, depicted in the wonderful painting by Piero della Francesca in the National Gallery, London.

You can read the story in the Bible here: Luke 3:15-22

The Baptism of Jesus is a significant event in Christian theology, symbolising purification, and the beginning of his public ministry. According to the New Testament, specifically the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the River Jordan. John initially hesitated, recognizing Jesus’ divinity, but Jesus insisted, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling all righteousness.

As Jesus emerged from the water, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in the form of a dove. A voice from heaven proclaimed, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” This divine declaration underscores Jesus’ unique relationship with God and marks the initiation of his earthly mission.

The baptism represents Jesus’ identification with humanity, foreshadowing his sacrificial role for the redemption of sin. It serves as a model for believers, emphasizing the importance of repentance, spiritual renewal, and commitment to God.

The baptism a pivotal moment in the Trinity, illustrating the coexistence of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The event is celebrated in various Christian traditions through the sacrament of baptism, where believers undergo water immersion as a symbol of spiritual rebirth and union with Christ. The baptism of Jesus remains a central theme in Christian teachings, embodying divine approval and the mission of salvation.

There are several themes and traditions related to the Advent wreath, today we light the Christmas candle, illustrated here with a single white candle.

The first candle in the Advent wreath symbolises HOPE and is known as the Prophet’s Candle. The second candle represents FAITH and is called Bethlehem’s Candle. The third candle symbolises JOY and is called the Shepherd’s Candle. The fourth candle represents PEACE and is called the Angel’s Candle.

This fifth candle represents LOVE and is called Christ’s Candle. In the busy time of Advent and Christmas it’s important to pause and remember the great gift of love that God gave to the world when Jesus was born.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognise him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1-14

Love is like a candle shining in a dark place. As we reflect on the light from this candle, we celebrate the love we have in Christ.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the greatest gift of all that came on the first Christmas, a gift of love wrapped in the vulnerability of a baby, a gift later wrapped in the scars of our human sin on the cross, a gift of love that conquered death. On this Christmas Day, we thank you for loving us enough to send Jesus, fill our hearts and minds with the significance of that truth. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Today is the Fourth Sunday in Advent. The season of Advent is the first period of reflection in the Christian year, the second being Lent.

The first candle in the Advent wreath symbolises HOPE and is known as the Prophet’s Candle. The second candle represents FAITH and is called Bethlehem’s Candle. The third candle symbolises JOY and is called the Shepherd’s Candle. The fourth candle represents PEACE and is called the Angel’s Candle. The prophet Isaiah spoke of the coming Prince of Peace. The angels announced that Jesus came to bring peace, to bring people closer to God and to each other.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and for ever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.’ Luke 2:13-14

When Jesus came he taught people the importance of being peacemakers. He said that those who make peace shall be called the children of God. When Christ comes he brings us peace, and everlasting peace when he comes again. We light the candle of peace to remind us that Jesus is the Prince of Peace and that through him peace is found.

Peace is like a light shining in a dark place. As we reflect on the light from this candle, we celebrate the peace we have in Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Light of the World, the prophets said you would bring peace and save your people from trouble. Give peace in our hearts this Christmas. We ask this as we wait for you to come again, that you would remain present with us. Help us today, and every day to worship you, to hear your word, and to do your will by sharing your peace with each other. We ask this in the name of the one who was born in Bethlehem. Amen.