Opening Prayer:
Creator of all, we thank you for the opportunity to gather in study. Open our minds and hearts. By the power of the Holy Spirit, unite us in faith, hope, and love. Help us to be faithful to the gospel and to walk humbly with you. Grant us your peace as we grow in wisdom and understanding. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
John 3:1-17 What has been your experience of new birth?
Nicodemus provides a stark contrast to Abraham. Abraham believed God’s promise and acted on it. Nicodemus, on the other hand, although a faithful and representative leader of the Jews, understood faith as the result of what he could discover and validate through investigation and deliberation. He had seen the verifiable evidence (through the miracles) that God was present in Jesus. Nicodemus’ faith, tied to what he considered plausible, rendered him unable to grasp the fullness of God present in Jesus. Indeed, it would take another act of God for him to comprehend what Jesus was talking about. It is not enough to be born physically. To see the realm of God, one must be born “from above.” The Greek anothen can mean “from above,” “again,” or “anew.” Nicodemus interpreted it to mean “again.” His literalism in regard to entering again into the womb further illustrates his reliance on tangible, observable facts. This pouring out of the Spirit “from above” (like Abraham’s designation as righteous) cannot be accomplished through human action. Jesus could only know these heavenly things because he was from God. It was through his “lifting up” (crucifixion), resurrection, and ascension, that the work of the Spirit was made known to us.
Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 What is the difference between a Christian person and a good person?
Abraham was made righteous, Paul asserts, not because of his work, but through his faith. The believing itself, however, should not be interpreted as Abraham’s work, or the reason for his designation as righteous. Righteousness is not a reward for belief. Abraham is declared righteous through God’s grace in response to—not because of—his faith. Righteousness is a gift only God can bestow. The section omitted from Chapter 4 focuses on the question of circumcision in regard to faith and righteousness. Abraham believed, and was reckoned as righteous, although as yet uncircumcised. Circumcision was the sign—the seal—of Abraham’s righteousness. Abraham is the spiritual father of all who believe, but for Gentiles as well, he is father in faith, the model for the believer. It is God, not the believer, that “justifies the ungodly” (4:5) and makes right living possible.
Genesis 12:1-4a What would it take for you to follow a call from God so totally?
Today’s Hebrew scripture lection, despite its brevity, marks one of the most significant events in God’s salvation story—the call of Abram/Abraham. This was the beginning of a journey for one elderly, childless couple that has since some to signify an epic voyage for all humankind. God’s call, God’s promise, and Abram’s “yes” set a new course for the relationship between Creator and created. To this foundational covenant we can trace the origins of three of the world’s major faith traditions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—all having one father and mother (Abraham and Sarah) who were blessed by God to be a blessing to the nations. The actual call event is not detailed. Unlike Moses, who met God in a burning bush, Abram’s encounter was conveyed without supernatural signs, without special effects. God simply spoke, and Abram obeyed. Without question, without hesitation, without needing to know God’s name or credentials, or his ultimate destination, Abram and Sarah picked up their lives, and with their nephew Lot, he went as he had been told by God. What happened up to this point in his life was inconsequential; for from this moment on Abram’s life truly began.
Closing Prayer
God of amazing compassion,
lover of our wayward race,
you bring to birth a pilgrim people,
and call us to be a blessing for ourselves and all the world.
We pray for grace to take your generous gift
and step with courage on this holy path,
confident in the radiant life that is your plan for us,
made known and given in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.