Reading
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. John 3:16
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The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1: 9 – 13
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Reflection
During the past two days we have asked “who is Jesus really to me?” and then yesterday we looked at Paul’s description of Jesus. And yet, this idea of “Jesus” may be just all in our heads. We may know about him intellectually, but how do we turn something in our heads into something which is real in our daily experience? It has been said that one of the longest journeys in the world is just one foot……from our heads to our hearts! Well, in the two passages above there are two words which help us. The first is “believe” and the second is “receive”. Here the word believe means more than just intellectually agreeing that the Jesus story is true, it involves entrusting ourselves to the object of our belief – to Jesus. And then we actualise this, by receiving him into our being.
Spiritual Exercise
Your to-do for today: I would suggest that you may like to affirm your faith in Jesus by saying a short prayer, which may go something like this:
“Lord Jesus, I believe that all I have read about you in these past few days is true. I now entrust myself once again, unreservedly, into your hands. And Lord Jesus, I want to receive you afresh into my being. Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit that I may know you and experience you at work in my life today.
Having said this prayer, just be quiet for a few moments and allow what you have said to permeate your entire being.
Music
Listen to a great song as you think about today’s reflection:
Be sure to come back tomorrow
Digging Deeper
Want to spend a little time digging into this series?
Consider joining the Lent Discussion Groups at St Andrew’s (Via Zoom), 5 sessions starting on today @ 12 noon. Contact the office (elaine@sac.church) for Zoom details.
Church of England Daily Prayer.
Church of England Lent: LiveLent: God’s Story, Our Story
Link to St Andrews online Services.
