Lessons for 03/16/2014, 2nd Sunday in Lent.

This Old Testament lesson from the book of Genesis is the story of God's call of Abraham. The lesson begins with Yahweh instructing Abram to leave his family and travel from his country (in Haran in what is modern day Iraq to the land he will direct. The promise made is that Yahweh would make of Abram a great nation, making his name so great that in him the families of the earth would be blessed. Few psalms are so well-known, mostly because it is has been sung in paraphrase form by many generations. The message of the psalm is simple and powerful: God watches over us as permanently as the mountains mark the horizon. In this portion of his letter to the Christians in Rome, Paul reflects on God's saving work in Christ. In this text he offers his interpretation of Abraham's call. Paul identifies Abraham as our ancestor according to the flesh. He adds that if Abraham is justified by works, then he has something about which to boast but scripture says righteousness was "credited" to him. You cannot be declared right without "rightness" or "justice." The account with Nicodemus begins with Nicodemus coming to Jesus in the night, noting that the Lord must be of God for none could do the signs he had done apart from God's presence. Jesus responds, noting that no one can see the kingdom if not born from above (v. 3). The ancient Greek word "anothen" is translated "from above" and can also mean "born again." Nicodemus asks how one can be born again when he is already old (v. 4). Jesus responds that no one can enter God's kingdom without being born of water and of the Spirit, that is, born from above. Jesus notes that as Moses lifted up a serpent in the desert (Numbers 21:9), in order to provide a remedy to those made ill by the bites of poisonous snakes sent to punish the Hebrews for their sin, so the Son of Man will be lifted up that whoever believes in him will have eternal life (vv. 14-15). The Cross is here foretold. In closing, God's love for the world in giving his only Son that all who believe may have eternal life is affirmed (vv. 16-17). Have you ever wondered about the meaning or context of a lesson? Ever wished for more information about what was happening at the time or the meaning of the scripture passage? Pastor Ken Puccio shares the insights he's acquired during his 36 years of ministry. Pastor Ken Puccio of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church Glen Avon discusses and reads the lessons for 03/16/2014, 2nd Sunday in Lent : Genesis 12:1-4a; 3:1-7 ; Psalm 121 ; Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 ; John 3:1-17.