“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.” John 3.16-17
It’s only fitting that today is the day our ABC’s of Lent come to a close, for many reasons. One, it is Maundy Thursday, the day so many years ago when Jesus’ public ministry was ended with his arrest, trial and eventual death occurring tomorrow on Good Friday. Second, because it’s time for us to experience his resurrection! With COVID-19 spreading across the globe, people need hope.
Today’s word is “zeal.” It’s defined as having “great energy or enthusiasm toward a cause or an objective. Which, I believe, Jesus and God the Father have for creation! I chose the word zeal because not only does it convey Jesus and his public ally ministry, it depicts the radical nature of God to die upon a cross. Our passage for today is John 3.16-17, the most quoted, most famous verse of the age — “For God so loved the world.”
Is there anything more zealous than the love of God for his people? Anymore less tame than an all powerful God defeating sin, death and hell to pave the way for the creation to know the Creator? Is there anything more astounding than Jesus’ bleeding upon a cross for our sins? And three days later, rising from the dead?
At the moment I write this God is showing off through an immense storm of thunder and lightening. It reminds me of his power, his might and his strength. It also reminds me of the darkness that covered the land at the moment of Jesus death, and the great storm that broke loose upon his death on the cross.
That same God, who moved heaven and earth so we could be in a right relationship with him, is the same God who cares for you. He loves you. He knows your name. He is with you in the midst of our storms. Even with global pandemics knocking at our door, Jesus is still faithful.
As we conclude these ABC’s of Lent I pray your journey has been good. That through this you have clung to the cross, opened your heart to the Father, and received the Holy Spirit as a beloved child of the King.
“O Lord God, you are good and you are mighty. Thank you for loving us. Thank you for the journey to the cross and that the journey doesn’t stop there. Thank you Jesus for rising from the grave so we might have life, meaning and purpose today. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen