Faith takes center stage in the
readings for this week. God commands Abram to leave all he knows behind and go
to a new land where God will make of him a great nation. Abram went. Later in
Genesis, God commands Abraham – formerly Abram – to sacrifice his son Isaac,
and he prepares to do just that before the reprieve. Abraham had faith;
righteous faith, that is, he was right with God. He trusted
God and that trust was demonstrated by his obedience. Some of the stories of Abram/Abraham
are overwhelming in terms of the magnitude of his willingness to just obey God,
seemingly without question. Farther along in Genesis, we discover that neither
Abraham nor his wife, Sarah, were perfect in all ways.
Paul helps us along by opening us up
to the understanding that anyone/all of us can be in right relationship with
God even in our less-than-perfect ways. Righteousness of faith and
obedience are less about the defined commandments given to
Noah and more about commitment and attitude.
Nicodemus engages Jesus for
the first of three times in John’s Gospel in this reading. A high-status member
of the Great Sanhedrin, the governing council of the Jews at that time,
Nicodemus stands firm in and for Jewish orthodoxy/the Law. Yet something about
Jesus and his unconventional path as a religious teacher draws Nicodemus to
seek Jesus out, although only at night. It is in this passage that the
famous John 3:16, seen on placards at sporting events, For
God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes
in him may not perish but have eternal life is found. Martin
Luther describes this passage as “the Gospel in miniature.” We aren’t deserving
but God is giving us every opportunity to bring our penitent hearts and
imperfect faith to this relationship.
Following on in John 3:17, Jesus tells
Nicodemus that God did not send the Son…to condemn the world, but…that
the world might be saved through him. Coming to Jesus begins when we
take stock of the earthly “values” that separate us from God and one another
and opens us to the realization of the Spirit already shining within us. That
awakening is as a new birth and the brilliance within begins to show through
us. It deepens our faith and commitment and strengthens us to attempt more
obedience, have more trust, and be more faithful to the life that Christ is
teaching us to follow. We leave behind the notion of a vengeful god only
wanting us to be punished and draw near to the love of God who never leaves us
behind.
Faith can be shaken and still endure. Faith
can be sought even if not understood. Thomas Aquinas, 13th century
theologian/philosopher, whose influence still pervades Christian thought today,
said, “To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith,
no explanation is possible.” To move deeper into faith and commitment is to
journey as Abraham – new land, new language, new life. With the baptism of the
Spirit we are reborn, we take new steps in faith, and follow Christ. We
aren’t called to be perfect but we are perfectly called by a love greater than
mere human words can express, it is our rebirthing that gives us true life.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ O Lord, our Maker
and our Help, sustain us in our flawed and uncertain attempts with faith as we
seek to know the grace of new birth through Your Holy Spirit. Guide our efforts
to be earnest in the desire to live this life as preparation for eternal life
with You.
O God of Constant Mercy
RESPONSE: Deliver us from doubt
~ O Lord, our Maker
and our Help, we lift our eyes to You, in these confusing and unsettled times,
to guide us and the leaders of all governments across this Earth, this Nation,
and this Community to genuine clarity of judgment and charity of heart. We pray
especially for: add your own petitions
O God of Constant Mercy
Deliver
us from doubt
~ O Lord, our Maker
and our Help, calm the distress of those who are ailing in body, mind, or
spirit, and grant stamina to those who give care. We now join our hearts to
pray for those in need… add your own petitions
O God of Constant Mercy
Deliver
us from doubt
~ O Lord our Maker
and our Help, comfort those who grieve with a foretaste of the joy and
celebration enfolding all who now live forever with You. We pray
especially for… add your own petitions
O God of Constant Mercy
Deliver
us from doubt
~ O Lord our Maker
and our Help, we pause in this moment to offer You our
other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud
or silently… add your own petitions
O God of Constant Mercy
Deliver us from doubt ~ O Lord, our Maker
and our Help, fortify the souls of all who are anointed to lead Your
Church as they strive to impart to us the faith of Abraham and the willingness
to seek only the heavenly things of salvation through Christ. We pray
especially for: add your own petitions
O God of Constant Mercy
Deliver
us from doubt
The Celebrant adds: Living and Eternal God, for the mere price of
our enduring faith, You promise us life unending and love without limit. May
these reflective days of Lent turn our hearts to repentance as we examine and
deepen our commitment to You. We ask this through Your Only Son, our
Savior, Jesus Christ; and Your Holy Spirit, our Sanctifier; who live and reign
with You, as One God, now and for evermore. Amen.
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