John-Come to the Light
Orient For God So Loved The World
Jesus continues his conversation with Nicodemus and begins by explaining why the Son of Man will be lifted up. Ties to the themes in the prologue are found in the light/dark contrast shared by John to describe the nature of man and their deeds. Much of the language in these verses communicates spiritual truth using legal terms. This section contains one of the most well-known scriptures in the Bible (John 3:16) because of its succinct summary of the gospel but is not always understood fully when taken out of context.
Introduction
Human nature has fascinated people for centuries. At the root of the academic fields of ethics, philosophy, psychology, and sociology, thinkers and scientists try to study and explain the motivations of humanity. Previously in John, we learn that Jesus knows what is in man[1]. In today’s meditation, we hear the teaching of Jesus on why man avoids fulfilling his greatest need.
Opening Prayer
God, draw me into the light as I sit and meditate on Your word. Let me do what is true and experience my eternal life with you. Reveal when I hide and let me soak in Your saving love, that is big enough for the whole world. I want to trust in Your works for me. Amen
Meditation
Read and reread the following passage, taking God’s word in deeply. As you do be sensitive to a phrase or verse the Holy Spirit emphasizes to you personally.
John 3:16-21
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
Paraphrase
Rewrite the phrase or verse that the Holy Spirit highlighted during meditation. What is your take away?
Reflect
1. It is hard to read this section without seeing why God came into the world: His great love. He came to save, not to judge. The statement that the Father sent Jesus occurs 39 times in this book, so it’s something John wants us to take note of. God initiates and makes a way for us to be in relationship with Him. If you haven’t yet accepted Jesus, what is stopping you from saying yes to His invitation of eternal life? If you have, do you live in a way where you have stopping seeing God as continually inviting you into relationship with Him?
2. Many do not come to Jesus because they love their sin and fear exposure. Because the desires of the flesh that we battle against[2], even after experiencing saving faith, Christians struggle with loving their sin instead of turning to their Savior. Like the non-believer, they want to shrink from the light. Remember the kindness of Jesus. He is a high priest who can sympathize with us[3] and forgives everything, we only need to confess. Have you been hiding? Do you need to bring your deeds into the light? There is no condemnation for those in Christ[4]!
3. Do you do what is true? That was a confusing phrase for me the first time I read it. Doing what is true is the object lesson of this passage that captures coming to Christ in your sin and acknowledging that it is God who does the work of salvation. 1 John 1:5-7 brings more insight into “being true:”
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
One of the ways being true manifests is through joining with other believers. We are drawn to others who are connected to God when we are connected to God. How is your fellowship these days? Do you need to reach out and strengthen relationships to walk with Jesus alongside others?
Closing Prayer
Father, salvation was Your great invitation, but You invite me every day into relationship with You. You’ve shown that by sending Jesus to save me. He is your love letter. Spirit, make me sensitive to the ways every day I am drawn into Your Presence. Remind me You want to spend time with me. When I sin, remind me of Your grace and that you want me to constantly bring my deeds into the light. I am safe because of Your great sacrifice for me. Bring people into my life who love You, who I can encourage as we walk with You. Let Your people be people of light! Let us be holy as You are holy! Let us share Your great love with a world that needs to know You came to save.
Continue praying personally to the Lord with what He showed you during mediation and reflection.
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