February 24, 2021 FPCLA Lenten Word Meditation

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Today’s Lenten Word Meditation comes from John 2:23-3:15 NRSV:

2:23When he was in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, many believed in his name because they saw the signs that he was doing. 24But Jesus on his part would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25and needed no one to testify about anyone; for he himself knew what was in everyone.

3:1Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” 3Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

11“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. 12If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”

The word, signs (semeion in Greek), is defined as a sign, mark, token.  In the Gospel of John, the word, sign, is used instead of miracle.  For the Gospel of John, Jesus wasn’t some salesman doing parlor tricks, but the true Son of God, Logos, and a part of God. 
 
This morning I sit, hold, and pray with the word, sign.  What comes up initially are traffic signs from stop signs to walk signs at crosswalks.  I see it every day and make a cursory glance at them as they are a part of my daily life routine.  I wonder if this is how I look at God.  I treat God as a traffic sign and not truly see God in others, in nature, and in myself.  I imagine if I saw Jesus going to get crucified.  Would I have just given him a cursory glance?
 
Pastor Sam

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