Christ Church Daily Devotion April 10 2024

The Daily Devotion for April 10, 2024 focuses on John 3:16, which states that God loved the world so much that He gave His Son for eternal life. The conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus is also mentioned, highlighting Nicodemus' need for assurance. Nicodemus later defends Jesus and assists in His burial. The verse is explained in different ways, emphasizing God's love and the purpose of Jesus' arrival. The suggestion is to reread John 3:16, imagining a personal connection to the message. Welcome to Christchurch's Daily Devotion for April 10, 2024. Today, we will be reading from John chapter 3, verses 16. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Surrounding this beloved verse is the story of the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council. Nicodemus came at night for the conversation with Jesus. Nicodemus was seeking assurance that Jesus had been sent from God. Jesus recognized Nicodemus' need for assurance. We are not told what Nicodemus was thinking about after his conversation with Jesus, but we hear about Nicodemus again in John 7 and in John 19. In John 7, Nicodemus is a part of the Pharisees, but stands up for Jesus, asking, Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him, to find out what he is doing? The other Pharisees replied, Are you from Galilee too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee. Then in John 19, it is Nicodemus who helped with Jesus' burial, and brought the generous gift of seventy-five pounds of myrrh and aloes. Not only did Nicodemus bring the spices, but he must have given witness of his conversation with Jesus, such that it is a gift for us today. Two people helped me to understand this verse in new ways. Dr. John Polehill, my New Testament professor, said, The more literal Greek translation of this verse begins out with this, Out of God's love for the whole world. And Reverend Edward Robinson said, Even though Nicodemus was the only one present when Jesus spoke these words, John 3.16 continues to be one of the most well-known verses from the Bible. John 3.17 further expounds on John 3.16, For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Dr. Gail R. O'Day writes, God sends the Son into the world in love in order to save the world, not condemn it, she adds. The God revealed in Jesus is a God who loves, knows no bounds, and who asks only that one receive the gift. Your personal worship option today is to reread John 3.16 and place your name in the place of the world and whoever. Imagine you are seated across from the table with Jesus, and you are hearing Jesus speak these words into your life for today. Then read it again and let us remember that out of God's love, God loves the whole world too.