The text for Sunday is John 3. My ready confession is I have avoided this text far too long. If you grew up watching Monday Night Football or many other sporting events you may remember there was always someone holding up a sign at the right moment for the camera to catch and it said: “JOHN 3:16”. I can remember seeing that and it was usually a guy wearing some multi-colored afro-wig.

John 3:16 can be quoted even by people who don’t believe in Jesus. It’s such a common verse!

But in thinking I’m too familiar with a passage, or others are too familiar with a passage, I miss out on the voice of the Spirit to speak something fresh into my life. I may also be avoiding a passage I think I know, but I really don’t know it very well! I let the guy with crazy hair get in my head and keep me from seeing some wonderful things in this passage!

This passage really IS familiar and trying to give it a fresh look is a challenge. As I’ve worked this passage all week I come to today, the day to preach this text, and I sense a new stirring in my heart. This journey of Lent has been important. For us as a church, the Spirit has been asking us to make this journey of Lent to prepare our hearts. We are to prepare for Resurrection Sunday, then prepare our lives for Pentecost Sunday.

The last part of this passage in John 3 is tough. God sent his Son into the world not to condemn it, but to save it. (If you want comments on Rob Bell’s book right here, I know there are some comments I could make, but I’ve made this a Bell-free zone. 😉 )

The realization is harsh. The Son has come to SAVE the world, but there are some who don’t want to be saved. They prefer the darkness. The darkness is comfortable. The light is scary. Our eyes can get adjust to darkness and the light hurts our sensitive eyes! Yet, healing lies out there in the light.

This passage causes me to really stop. There are dark corners of my life that still need exposure to light. I suppose there will always be dark corners that will need exposure. The question is this: “Will I allow that exposure to happen in my life?” Do I love light more than my own dark corners?

Lord, in this journey, let my dark corners be lit up! I don’t want darkness! Please let the light of your Spirit shine in, bringing healing and wholeness. I need this work of the Spirit. Don’t let me love the hidden places more than I love your work in me!