Who Is Jesus To You?
LENT 2025 DEVOTIONAL:
John 3:1-21 (NIV)
(Sylvia Yeo, Associate Lay Leader)
Nicodemus was a senior rabbi who knew the scriptures. Having known what Jesus had been doing, he conceded that this Rabbi Jesus must be God-sent; in Nicodemus’ circles, it was heretical to even think that. Still, he sought Jesus under the cover of darkness.
Jesus recognised Nicodemus’ sincere desire for the Kingdom of God but was trapped by years of accumulating what he thought could get him in – a righteous standing. It was true that only the righteous could enter the Kingdom, but there is more. Nicodemus, as teacher of Israel, did not understand that the issue was also spiritual. Man does not need to work to get in.
Nicodemus must be ‘born again’ to enter the Kingdom of God. This new birth is not physical, but spiritual. No one can enter God’s kingdom without being ‘born again’. How are we to be born again? By faith in Jesus, the Son of Man who would be lifted up. Nicodemus would eventually see the light and the truth when Jesus was raised upon the cross (John 19:39-40).
Nicodemus came to Jesus seeking truth. It was until he saw Jesus on the cross (John 19), that he understood and believed. The apostle John understood, having witnessed both the death and the resurrected Lord and saw the deeper truth. From verse 16, John explains that God sent Jesus to be punished for our sin because He deeply loves us.
From verse 19 to 21, John uses the imagery of Light and Darkness. Those who are truly God’s and desire Him, live in the light of His truth. To stay in the dark is to avoid the truth. To avoid the truth is to avoid Jesus.
My family was living in a church when I was born because the pastor was my father. The parsonage and the church environment was my childhood. For many years and even now, I have benefitted from the love, and prayers of uncles and aunties growing up in the church community. Being born into a Christian family is a privilege I do not take for granted. I learnt a long time ago that growing up in church and surrounding myself with Christian friends does not make me more ‘holy’ or right with God. It is only when I personally accept the Lord Jesus into my life and acknowledge Him as my Saviour that I am born again as a child of God. Jesus awakened Nicodemus to the truth. That righteousness is not found in human status, or work, but in Jesus.
It’s not who I am. It’s who Jesus is to me.
Regularly attending service, or even serving in church or ministry does not necessarily bring me closer to God. In today’s reading, God is asking me to reset my ideas of being right. May I receive Jesus in simple faith. He is the One who is my righteousness.
Reflection Questions:
1. Who is Jesus to you?
2. V16 says: “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.” What steps are you taking to heed this truth?
3. All God wants is for us to have faith and believe in Jesus. Who can we share this with?
