And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 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. 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. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God. (John 3:14-21)
In today’s gospel Jesus says he will be lifted up on the cross like the serpent, so that those who look to him in faith will live. When we receive the sign of the cross in baptism, that cross becomes the sign we can look to in faith, for healing, for restored relationship to god, for hope when we are dying.
Sermon Theme
How does God love the world?
Sunday’s Worship Music
The Traditional Worship services will feature the Hymn of the Day “My Faith Looks Up to Thee” (ELW 759). John explains Jesus being raised up on the cross as the message of salvation for all. We who are in the midst of Lent proclaim our faith and trust in the one who is raised up rather than in ourselves. What other hymn today calls for an important object to be raised up?
Music at the New Day Praise service will Chris Tomlin’s “Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone).” This uplifting song focuses on God’s grace.
For Your Home Devotion
How do these verses influence how you live? What does “eternal life” mean to you?
John 3:16 is one of the most memorized verses of Scripture. Why do you think this verse gets so much attention? What has this verse meant to you in your spiritual life?
What does it mean to you to love light rather than darkness and to “come to the light” each day?
