Today’s Reading: John 3:1-17
Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 10:1-23; John 14:1-17
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. (John 3:17)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Back in the day, I was told that in order to know something you must sometimes understand what that thing is not. John does just that in our reading for today: He tells us that Jesus did not come as true God and true man to condemn the world. So now we know what Jesus hasn’t come to do. What has He come to do? Of course, John says that Jesus has come to save the world, but He’s also come to save you.
On this blessed Feast of the Holy Trinity where we behold the Trinity in unity and unity in the Trinity, an unfathomable, unexplainable concept, it’s wonderful to simply take in the fact that God the Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier is pleased to dwell with us. He comes among us not to condemn us or the world with us in our sin, but the Creator, God the Father, was pleased to send His Son to us. To send the Redeemer of the world to bear our sin, fulfill every last jot and tittle of the Law for us and to hang and die in our place. The Sanctifier, the Holy Spirit, gives us faith in the Word made flesh, to wake us, who by our own reason or strength cannot believe in Jesus our Lord or come to Him. The Holy Spirit, or the divine finger, as I’ve heard Him called, points only and always to what Christ Jesus has done for you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Almighty and everlasting God, You have given us grace to acknowledge the eternal Trinity by the confession of the true faith and to worship the Unity in the power of the Divine Majesty. Keep us steadfast in the faith and defend us from all adversities for You, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit, live and reign, one God, now and forever. Amen.
-Rev. Adam Degroot is pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Rio Rancho, NM.
Audio Reflections speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch
Come on an adventure with author Eric Eichinger as he unpacks the saga of Jesus’ Hero Journey. You’ll see how aspects of this journey are seen in popular stories, and how God used Jesus to create the most action-packed one with a real Savior for all. Now available from Concordia Publishing House.
