Scripture Reflection for the 4th Sunday of Lent
March 26, 2006
by Brian
Singer-Towns
Good News of the Very Best Kind
What's the best news you have received lately? Is it that spring has arrived? Maybe that someone you love has been healed of an illness or disease? Or that your team made it to the state finals? For me, the good news is that my wife and I will be able to be part of a study tour in Israel this summer -- a dream we've had for twenty-five years.
I hope that you have had some good news to celebrate this past year. But here's something to ponder: No matter what your good news is, God has even better news for us this weekend.
God's Amazing News
This Sunday's readings focus on good news of the very best kind. It starts in the Old Testament reading. The reading comes from the very end of the book of Chronicles after the kingdom of Israel had fallen to the Babylonians and all the leaders were either killed or taken into slavery. The author of 2 Chronicles declares that even though the Israelites were repeatedly unfaithful to God, God will not stop loving them.
This theme continues in the letter to the Ephesians. The reading reminds us that God brings us to new life in Christ, not because of anything we did to deserve it, but because of God's great love.
The famous passage from John 3:16 is the culmination of this good news, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but have eternal life." This is the first time God's love is mentioned in the Gospel of John and it will become a frequent theme throughout the rest of the Gospel. Each of the three readings proclaims: Good News! Good News! Good News!
God's Good News Tops Your Worst News!
Every other news pales in comparison with God's good news. Yes, if you miss the shot that would have won the state finals it would be pretty disappointing -- but God still loves you! And if you make that shot and became the hero of your school and city -- you better stay humble. That's not nearly as important as believing in Christ and joining him in heaven some day. And if the political situation gets even worse in Israel and my wife and I cannot travel there this summer -- it's not the end of the world. What ultimately matters is that God is going to bring us to the heavenly Jerusalem.
Our earthly experiences, good and bad, are about things that will eventually pass away. The news about God's love and our ultimate destiny is eternal and unalterable. Don't get me wrong: suffering and death are real and we will feel pain and grief. It is just that this Sunday's readings remind us that pain and suffering, death and grief are only a part of the story -- God's good news will always be bigger.
Let us pray that we have the faith to believe in God's incredible good news.
Life Application:
What good news have you had lately? How does it compare to God's good news?
When is it difficult for you to believe God loves you?
Make a commitment to yourself that, whenever you start to feel down or depressed, you will turn to John 3:15-18 and remind yourself of Christ's promise about God's love.
Copyright 2006 by Brian
Singer-Towns
All rights reserved.
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