Call to Gather, Pray and Worship God
Jude 1:1-2
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.
Along with James mentioned above, Jude is traditionally thought to be a brother of Jesus. Despite an initial skepticism about Jesus as Messiah seen in John 7:5, Jude later found himself called and loved and part of the Christian faith, kept for Jesus. That blessing is what he wanted to extend to others, expressing a desire for abundant mercy and peace to come with it. May this be your blessing!
Nicodemus visits
Jesus at Night
This conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus gives birth to the well-known verse of Scripture seen in sporting arenas and other gatherings, John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. But another section, verses 5-6, captures our attention this week: No one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
Our initial place in the kingdom comes about by the Holy Spirit giving birth to our spirit. Living in the kingdom – which we are already doing – is also directed by the Holy Spirit. Apostle Paul called it “keeping in step with this Spirit” and said it would keep us on the right path (Galatians 5:25). Of course, The Spirit’s ways of working are hard to pin down (compared to the blowing of the wind), but He is living right inside of us. Follow Him!
John 3:1-17
Jesus Teaches Nicodemus
1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Prayer
[Insert your own prayer about the devotions this week and how it has affected your walk with Jesus.]