Gospel lesson for the weekend  
(For worship services on March 14 & 15, 2015)  

John 3:14-21 

In today's gospel Jesus says he will be lifted up on the cross like the serpent, so that those who look to him in faith will live. When we receive the sign of the cross in baptism, that cross becomes the sign we can look to in faith, for healing, for restored relationship to God, for hope when we are dying.

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. ¹⁶For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. ¹⁷Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. ¹⁸Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. ¹⁹And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. ²¹But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God."

Gospel Reflection Questions 
 to share and discuss

1. You probably have seen signs that say “John 3:16” at many sporting events on television.  Why do you think this verse is so popular?
   
   
2. Jesus says that “the world might be saved through him” (John 3:17).  How might we help Jesus save this world?
   
   
3. Think of some examples in your life where “light has come into the world” (John 3:19).  Say a prayer of thanksgiving for these times.
   
   

Prayer

Dear God, help us to bring your light to this world.  Please light the world’s, and our own, darkest times and places.  We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, who is the light of the world.  Amen.

This is Mt. Olive’s weekly online Bible Study for youth, adults and families. Each week we will reflect on the coming weekend’s Gospel text covered at our upcoming worship services. This is your opportunity to read the text, reflect on the questions, share and discuss with friends and family, and share a prayer.

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illustration by Julie Lonneman exclusively for Augsburg Fortress.