March 10, 2024

Today's Reading: John 3:14-21 

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 41:28-57, Mark 11:20-33

Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believed are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (John 3:17-18)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Jesus does not come to the world for condemnation, but for salvation, rescue from sin, death and the devil. For many people the name of Jesus sounds like condemnation and judgment, so it is met with anger. This happened too in Jesus’ day, some people rejoiced at the gifts He freely gave from physical healing, bread, deliverance from demons, to forgiveness of sin itself, while others recoiled at these gifts, declaring the words and actions of the only Son of God blasphemous. How ironic is that, to accuse God of blasphemy? Yet to the spirit of the age, whether our age or theirs in the first century, Jesus is indeed blasphemous. 

This spirit of the age would tell us many things, like we don’t need salvation because we’re great just the way we are so we really only need acceptance, not forgiveness. Or the spirit of the age may declare that there are many paths to salvation, all equally warranted, a religious ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ of sorts. Or the spirit of the age may declare that salvation can come to the world if we band together and work hard enough to save it all. To sheep without a shepherd any degree of shepherding can feel like condemnation, even if the Good Shepherd is there for rescue not punishment. Jesus is our Good Shepherd, who has come to us for salvation not condemnation, and the way to receive this salvation is to believe in the name of the Son of God. 

To believe in the name of Jesus means to believe in everything He says and does and shows us regarding the character of God. It means believing that we all need rescuing from sin, death, and the devil, and that it is in God’s nature to provide us with that rescue. Our sins condemn us, but only inasmuch as we wrestle them away from Jesus to fix them ourselves, instead of surrendering them in faith in His promise of forgiveness. Jesus has come into the world to save sinners, and that is good news for all who place themselves in that number. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning; and though we deserve only punishment, You receive us as Your children and provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve you in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

-Deac. Eleanor Corrow, Higher Things Board Member and coordinator in LCMS Missionary Services. 

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

Unforgivable? Unforgiveness is a prison—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. In a world full of turmoil, many use forgiveness as a coping mechanism without understanding what true forgiveness is. Learn what forgiveness from Christ looks like, and how He forgives His people.