Christian Reflection and Prayer

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Read  John 3:19-21.
TEXT: "This is the judgment: the light has come into
the world, and people loved the darkness rather than
the light because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19). 

Lenten Devotion- Before Jesus sends Nicodemus on
his way, He leaves him one last warning. "This is the
judgment: the light has come into the world, and
people loved the darkness rather than the light
because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does
wicked things hates the light and does not come to
the light, lest his works should be exposed."

Will Nicodemus admit he is drowning in his sins and
only Jesus can set him free? He came to Jesus at
night under the cover of darkness so no one could see.
Is he willing and ready to step out into the light and
receive the forgiveness Jesus came to bring?

Coming to Christ isn't easy for us either. We want to
impress each other. Why would any of us want to open
up and let our brothers and sisters in faith see the dark
secrets we keep hidden away inside? Like Nicodemus
there is a Pharisee hidden deep inside every one of us
too.

We take pride in going to church regularly, putting our
money in the offering plate and holding offices in our
local congregation. But Christ knows us inside and out.
He knows our pride, our stubbornness and our
judgmental heart. Jesus' call to Nicodemus goes out to
each of us -- no matter who we are. Are you willing to
come to Christ Jesus in His Church? Are you willing to
look to the crucified and risen Savior, to confess your
need and follow Him?

THE PRAYER:

"Just as I am, without one plea, but that Thy blood was
shed for me, And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!" Amen.

"Lifted to Save"
By Rev. Wayne Palmer
February 23, 2015


Read John 3:9-18. TEXT:
 "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the
Son of Man be lifted up" (John 3:14).    

Lenten Devotion-  rNicodemus is just not getting it. He's not a
bad guy; why can't he earn his way to heaven? Patiently, Jesus
reminds the teacher of a time when Israel grumbled in the
wilderness and God sent poisonous serpents. After thousands
died, the survivors begged Moses to ask God to remove the
serpents. Surprisingly, God answered No! The serpents would
stay, and they would keep biting people. But Moses was to lift
a bronze serpent on a pole.

Imagine you were bitten. All you had to do was look at the
bronze serpent on the pole, trust God's promise and you would
live. Jesus told Nicodemus, "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."

Just like Nicodemus, you and I are infected with the deadly
poison of the serpent who bit our first parents in the Garden of
Eden. There is no way to save ourselves from our poisonous
sinful nature. So God sent His only-begotten Son to save us.

When Jesus was lifted up on the cross He paid for our sins by
being punished in our place. Only when we look at Jesus and
trust the Father's promise to forgive us for Jesus' sake can we
be saved from the venom of death within us.

Nicodemus had a clear choice! Just like the ancient Israelites
bitten by the serpents and just like you and me today, he
could look to Jesus the Light of the world in faith and live or
walk away into the darkness and die.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, turn my eyes to Your cross, that I may believe
and live. Amen.

"A Visit in the Dark"
By Rev. Wayne Palmer


Read John 3:1-8. TEXT: "Nicodemus said to Him,
'How can these things be?'" (John 3:9).  

Lenten Devotion- Jesus made powerful enemies when He
cleansed the temple. But He also impressed some leaders
with His boldness and His miracles. In chapter three a
prominent leader comes to the Light, but fear of his
colleagues leads him to come to Jesus under the cover of
darkness.

Being a Pharisee, Nicodemus thinks his good life will win
him heaven. Jesus immediately challenges this false hope.
"Truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot
see the Kingdom of God." Answering Nicodemus' confused
reply Jesus explains He is talking about baptism. But
Nicodemus still finds it difficult to accept these words.

You and I might find it difficult also. Like Nicodemus we have
so many good qualities going for us, especially when
compared to others we can point out. We work hard to provide
for our families. We try to be good citizens. We try to treat our
neighbors well.

But Jesus is clear and unbending, "That which is born of the
flesh is flesh." It can never be anything but flesh. You and I
can try as hard as we want, but we are and always will be
sinners. And saying, "I'm only human" is no excuse either.
Jesus was truly human, yet He was without sin.

That is why our Lord commanded His Church to baptize sinners.
Through the power of God's Word in that water Jesus takes our
sins and guilt upon Himself and suffers and dies in our place. He
fills us with His Holy Spirit and makes us children of God. Just
as Jesus rose again on the third day, He will raise us to live with
Him in paradise forever.

THE PRAYER:

Jesus, bring me out of the darkness of my self-righteousness to
the light of Your forgiveness and peace. Amen.