2026 Lent Devotions
Friday, February 27
John 3:1-10
1 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with that person.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?
“… “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” …”
I was baptized at the age of nineteen by Rev. Corey at First Pentecostal Church in my hometown of Williamsport. My best friend, my girlfriend, and I were all immersed the same evening wearing a white gown over swimming suits. It had all been arranged ahead of time by the pastor; and we were excited to be given this chance to discover the power of Jesus’ words about baptism.
It’s been more than a half century since that event, yet its meaning remains with me today. Through water and Word, I was made a child of God and an inheritor of eternal life. I was joined to the Church – the body of Christ; and I was given the gift of the Holy Spirit. Needless to say, it was and remains an emotional and deeply spiritual experience.
Jesus reminds us that being born of water and the Spirit is a gift given by God through which the kingdom of God comes near. It doesn’t mean that nothing bad is ever going to happen to you, or that your life will be a cakewalk, or that temptation, sin, and death are not factors faced nearly every day. Rather, through water and Word we are named and claimed by God and promised that we are never alone. That is the gift of baptism.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for receiving me through the waters of baptism. Bless all those who come through water and Word that they may know more fully the presence of Your kingdom. Amen.