God calls us to be disciples of Jesus, building community through
service and fellowship and sharing the love of Christ with all.
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In John 3:1–17, Nicodemus comes to Jesus under the cover of night. He is neither hostile nor dismissive. Thoughtful and sincere, he carries questions and a faith seeking deeper understanding. Perhaps he comes in darkness to avoid scrutiny, or because he is still unsure. And it is in that honest yet unsettled space that Jesus speaks of something radically new: being born from above, born of water and Spirit. In the night, Jesus speaks of new birth. Amid questions, he speaks of trust. In uncertainty, he reveals the depth of God’s love: “For God so loved the world…”
As we enter the second week of Lent, we are invited to dwell in that tension - between night and new birth, uncertainty and awakening, cautious belief and courageous trust. Nicodemus stands in that in-between space, and so do we. We sense God’s presence, yet we do not fully understand the Spirit’s work. We are not wholly in darkness, but neither are we fully transformed.
Lent honors this space. It does not rush us to Easter’s light. It calls us to remain in the dimness long enough to recognize our need for renewal. New birth is not earned; it is received—like wind we cannot control, like grace we cannot manufacture.
“Between Night and New Birth” invites us to examine where we stand. What questions shape our faith? What fears keep us hesitant? What longings stir within us? In this season, we are called to trust the quiet work of the Spirit - the unseen presence that reshapes, renews, and restores.
The story of Nicodemus does not end in darkness. It leads us to the heart of the gospel: God does not come to condemn, but to save. Divine love meets us where we are and gently brings forth new life. Between night and new birth lies grace. And there, in that sacred space, Lent meets us.