This season, we’re blessed with a set of Lenten devotionals by contributing author Lee Hinkle.  Find out more about Lee at the bottom of this article, or at hinkledownunder.com.

Reading

John 3:1-21 (ESV)

Meditation

I am always impressed with Nicodemus. He was a learned man, a Pharisee, but was not content to stop learning. He had a desire to learn more. We hear about that goal of being a life-long learner; we may even aspire to it. Nicodemus asked questions and sought out answers.

It seems that he was not taking anything for granted. In the midst of his discussion with Jesus he is called to task about his lack of understanding. He should understand what Jesus is talking about but he doesn’t. I often feel too secure in what I know or what I think I know. I can place myself in the knowers’ column, but every encounter with Christ reveals how little I know. Every encounter with this disruptive one reveals that there are still places in my heart that I am a lover of darkness.

As someone who has been given faith in God through Jesus Christ, I understand that I am not in darkness but in Light. That I have Christ over me with His righteousness; that I am not condemned but saved. And yet, in my flesh, I still love darkness. I have places that I don’t even know about yet that are dark and I want to keep hidden. Sometimes I am well acquainted with them. They are my favourite darkened areas, the ones I really don’t want to let go of. But the Spirit blows and reveals, and I am undone. I have often felt like I have learned enough; like I don’t need to know any more of my brokenness, the dark in my life. I can’t handle it. But Jesus loved us enough to shine light on every area so the Truth can overtake it.

My darkness and lack of knowledge or trust about how it can be overcome by Jesus does not limit Jesus’ power and Truth. Jesus allows himself to be lifted up so that I can be saved.

Prayer

Father, you reveal us at the core. You take us to a full understanding of our lives and desires. You, through Jesus, overcome them. You shine light and truth into our darkness and lies. Teach us to rest in your light. Teach us to long for your words of comfort. That there is life and comfort where Jesus is. We praise you. Amen.

Lenten Action

Take time to look at the areas where you are puffed up in knowledge and ask God to reveal where you are lacking. Take time to ask God to reveal more brokenness and how He is overcoming it. Write it down so you can grieve and celebrate that God in Christ has overcome.

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Lee Hinkle is an American pastor who, with his family of 7, felt God’s call to pack up and plant a church in Fremantle, a town in Perth, Western Australia.  Last Summer, the Hinkles left Indianapolis and arrived in Oz to begin their work.  You can follow their adventures at hinkledownunder.com.