Romans 13:8 “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. “
Write this verse down on a 3×5 card and carry it with you. Throughout the day, pull the card out and try to memorize it. Think about these questions as you meditate on the verse. What does this verse teach me? How does this verse apply to my Life?
“The place which is called Calvary.” Luke 23:33
The hill of comfort is the hill of Calvary; the house of consolation is built with the wood of the cross; the temple of heavenly blessing is founded upon the riven rock- riven by the spear which pierced his side. No scene in sacred history ever gladdens the soul like Calvary’s tragedy.
“Is it not strange, the darkest hour
that ever dawned on sinful earth,
should touch the heart with softer power, for comfort, then an angel’s Mirth? That to the Cross the mourner’s eye should turn, sooner than where the stars of Bethlehem burn?”
Light springs from the midday- midnight of Golgotha and every herb of the field blooms sweetly beneath the shadow of the once accursed tree. In that place of thirst, grace hath dug a fountain which ever gushes with waters pure as crystal, each drop capable of alleviating the woes of humankind. You who have had your seasons of conflict will confess that it was not at Olivet that you ever found comfort, not on the hill of Sinai, nor on Tabor, but Gethsemane, Gabbatha, and Golgotha Have been a means of comfort to you. The bitter herbs of Gethsemane have often taken away the bitters of your life; the scourged of Gabbatha has often scourged away your cares, and the groans of Calvary yields us comfort rare and rich. We should never have known Christ’s love in all its heights and depths if he had not died, nor could we guess the Father’s deep affection if he had not given His Son to die. The common mercies we enjoy all sing of love, just as the sea-shell when we put it to our ears, whispers of the deep sea whence it came; but if we desire to hear the ocean itself, we must not look at everyday blessings, but at the transactions of the crucifixion. He Who would know love, let him retire to Calvary, and see the Man of sorrows die.
Hebrews 1:3 “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”
Write this verse down on a 3×5 card and carry it with you. Throughout the day, pull the card out and try to memorize it. Think about these questions as you meditate on the verse. What does this verse teach me? How does this verse apply to my Life?
Romans 5:10 “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”
Write this verse down on a 3×5 card and carry it with you. Throughout the day, pull the card out and try to memorize it. Think about these questions as you meditate on the verse. What does this verse teach me? How does this verse apply to my Life?
“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” (John 3:18-21)
As Jesus brings his teaching to a close, He clarifies who is and who is not condemned. His purpose for coming was not to condemn the world. He came to save the world from the guilt of sin by dying on the cross.
Some think that the purpose of the Mosaic Law was to make men righteous. But this is not the case; the purpose of the law was to show that man was not righteous. Through the law, God showed us a glimpse of what righteousness was. However, the law also provided a way of forgiveness, through sacrifices, when they failed to keep the law. The cycle of sin and sacrifices was never-ending. The best attempts to be righteous always fail. We all know this in our hearts, even if we will not admit it to others.
Jesus did not come to earth to condemn sinners; He came to give his life as a sacrifice or payment for their sin. Because Jesus came, every sin can be forgiven, and every heart can be freed from the guilt of sin. The only reason a person will be punished for their wickedness is if they refuse to place their faith in Jesus Christ, rejecting this gift of forgiveness.
Why would anyone reject such a fantastic offer? Because they like the darkness more than the light. Acceptance of Jesus as Savior makes necessary a change in action from sin toward righteousness. Sin is never as satisfying as it once was. People love their sin so much they are willing to reject the offer of forgiveness.
Why does a person need to be born again? Because they are a sinner by birth, and they must be made righteous by new birth. When a person rejects Jesus as Savior, they are choosing an eternity apart from God.
Questions to Ponder
Do you want to spend eternity with God?
Have you placed your faith in Jesus Christ?
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)
As he speaks to Nicodemus, He explained that the new birth is the result of placing your faith in the Son of man. Lest Nicodemus thinks that this is only for Israel, He continued. “For God so loved the world…” Nicodemus may have had a hard time excepting this fact. The popular understanding at the time was that God was only interested in the nation of Israel. But Jesus is telling him that God loves the world. God has loved every single person that has ever lived.
This offer of the new birth was not limited to one nation or group of people. God desires that every person is in fellowship with Him for eternity. But he has given us a choice. Just as he gave Adam and Eve a choice in the garden, the new birth is for whoever will receive it. You must take action. Knowing about the gift that God has offered is not enough. To make that gift yours, you must believe Jesus is the Son of God and that he came and died on the cross to pay the price of your sin.
Then he explains the purpose of the coming of the Son of God. It was not to condemn the world. There will come a time when the world stands before God to give an account for their actions and receive judgment. But this was not the time. He came “that the world through him might be saved.” This offer is open to all without exception.
Questions to Ponder
What would say about you if he were to judge your actions right now?
Have you excepted God’s gift of salvation?
“And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so, must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:13-15)
Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night to ask questions. Jesus tells him, you will not see the kingdom of God unless you have been born again. He explains that it’s not about his physical birth, but a spiritual birth. Nicodemus is confused; he believed that his entrance to the kingdom was secured by his heritage. Jesus then rebukes him because, as a theologian of Israel, he should have known this already. At this point, Nicodemus stops talking, and respectfully listens as Jesus continues to teach him.
Jesus begins teaching about the Messiah, of which the title “Son of man” is referring. He starts with bringing to memory an event in Numbers 21:5-9. Something that everyone, especially Nicodemus, was familiar. The Children of Israel complained about how hard their life was. Their sin was being ungrateful for all of God’s provision for them. God’s punishment for this sin, was sending fiery serpents among them, and those who bitten died. Finally, Israel repents and asks Moses to pray for them. God hears his prayer and instructs Moses to make a brazen serpent, place it on a pole and put it in the middle of Israelite encampment. He said, in this same manner, the Messiah will be lifted up in the middle of Israel.
This also helps explain how one is born again. The serpent was placed on a pole in the middle of Israel. Those who looked upon the brazen serpent would be healed and live. Looking was an act of faith. You would not cast your eyes upon the snake if you did not believe that you would be healed. If they obeyed, they would be healed, no matter how small their faith was. If a person did not think this would heal them, they would not look, and they would not be healed.
Faith is how a person is borne again. It is clear to us now, Jesus was talking about himself. New birth and new life begin by placing your faith in Jesus Christ. He was nailed to the cross and died for your sins. No matter how small your faith is, you can be born again.
Questions to Ponder
What are you trusting in for salvation?
Have you placed your faith in Jesus Christ?
“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.” ( John 3:1,2)
“This man was not a common and ordinary man, but a man of note and eminence, of dignity and figure; and who was of the sect of the Pharisees, which was the strictest sect of religion and holiness, among the Jews; and which, as corrupt as it was, was also the soundest; as having not only a regard to a Messiah, and to all the writings of the Old Testament, but also believed the doctrines of angels and spirits, and the resurrection of the dead, which the Sadducees denied; but yet they were implacable enemies of Christ; and therefore it is the more to be wondered at, that such a one should come to him, and desire a conversation with him:” – John Gill
Why did Nicodemus come to Jesus? Out of curiosity or Conviction? He came out of a desire to know the truth of the kingdom of God. He was not the only one that had questions. But he was the only one that came to get the answers.
Jesus came into the public eye very quickly. He was going from one city to the next, teaching and doing miracles. It was the miracles that got Nicodemus’ attention.
He gave respect to Jesus in coming to him and addressing him as Rabbi. When one is intent on knowing the truth, they will do what they must to hear it. This is true with every one of us. If we want to know the truth of God’s word, we must come in humility, which means that we must accept God’s authority over us. We must study and seek to understand what God is teaching in his word. This is a task that is not quickly accomplished. Some promptly read the Bible through once, and declare that they understand it all. This can not possibly be the case. Many have spent a lifetime studying the Bible and still have not learned it all.
Questions to Ponder
Do you know everything there is about the Bible, or are you still learning?
Are you willing to do what the Bible says?
How important is studying the Bible to you?
