FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT- YEAR-B

I Reading: 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23: The wrath and mercy of God are revealed in the exile and in the release of his people.

The first reading is the last chapter in the Chronicles, which explains why the Jews were deported and how Babylon was in time overwhelmed by the Persian Cyrus who saw to it that the Jews returned home and their Temple was rebuilt.

II Reading: Ephesians 2:4-10: You who were dead through your sins have been saved through grace.

The theme is God’s plan to bring everything together in Christ, to redeem Jew and pagan in him.

Gospel: John 3:14-21: God saved his Son so that through him the world might be saved.

Revelation: God’s Great Love, 3:16-17

The fourth Sunday in Lent has been given the name “Rejoice-Sunday!” the name is taken from the entrance antiphon which starts with the words: “Rejoice, Jerusalem…!”

Through today’s readings, the church invites all her children ‘to rejoice; her complete message to us is as follows: “Rejoice since God definitely loves you all!” God loved the people of Israel.

Jesus came into the world to reveal God’s love for everyone. The testimony of Paul was the Spirit gave Paul to understand and experience God’s love and mercy extraordinarily. Paul tells us that each one of us can consider himself “a showpiece” of God’s love (Eph 2:10). Paul calls God “infinitely rich” in love. Not just “rich,” but “infinitely rich” in mercy. 

This is the world’s most well-known Scripture. Briefly and to the point, Jesus revealed God’s great love.

1.    The fact: God so loved (v.16)

2.    The evidence: God gave (v.16)

3.    The purpose: To save (v.16)

a.    From perishing

b.    To eternal life

c.     By believing

4.    The proof: God sent His Son (the Incarnation) (v.17)

5.    Not to condemn

6.    But to save

Revelation: Man’s condemnation, Jn 3:18-21

God sent His Son into the world to save the world, but this does not mean that everyone is automatically saved. In fact, some are condemned and doomed. Jesus revealed man’s condemnation.

1.    Who is condemned: not the believer, but the unbeliever (v.18)

2.    When he is condemned: already (v.18)

3.    Why is he condemned (v.18-20)

a.    He has not believed

b.    Light has come into world

c.     He loves darkness; love his evil, his sin

d.    He does not come to the light

4.    Who escapes condemnation (v.21)

a.    He who practices truth

b.    He who comes to light

c.     He whose works are done through God

Thought: God loves every person, not just the religious and the good. God wants man/woman to know His love. He wants to reach everyone in the world with His love.

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