The gospel lectionary reading for Lent 4 in Year B is John 3.14–22, the monologue ending of Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, which includes perhaps the best-known verse in the New Testament at John 3.16. It is intimidating to talk about such a well-known passage—can we say anything new?—but also to deal with such a large theological subject as the love of God.
But there are some important things to note about the passage—not least that we appear to see a seamless transition from the speech of Jesus to the reflection of the gospel writer, in part demonstrated by the inclusion of reference to the later events of the resurrection and ascension. And although John 3.16 is well known, it is also mostly misread and misinterpreted, so there is plenty to say here as well!
For full details see the article I previously published on this. Here is my video exposition:
Please could you let me have your views on same sex marriage.
Hi there! I have written quite a lot on this; you can find my articles under the Sexuality tab above.
You might also be interested in my Grove booklet on this: https://grovebooks.co.uk/products/b-71-same-sex-unions-the-key-biblical-texts
Much appreciated, thanks, in preference to the article, Ian.
I particularly appreciated the way you dwelt on and drew -out the Gospel from Numbers 21, and as sign (a theme, as it were, of John) and realised eschatology of eternal life now. (That point of eternal life now, continues to be rarely drawn out in preaching and teaching, unless sometimes in over- realised eschatology, of the Kingdom Now, in some charismatic circles).
Your emphases, stopping- off points, are more apparent here, as you move through the text, than in your written exposition, even as it seems to be verbatim.
Yes, it’s all there in your article, but apart from this being a way of reinforcement by repetition, I, for one, see that your spoken word, bring out the succulent fruit of your study, that more readily engages heart and mind than does the article, which more readily engages comment.
I hope it has influence in mainstream, Anglicanism, whatever that may be, as it appears that it dumbfounds the liberals.
For a surprising source? of expressions of the Kingdom now, Resurrection Hope, “Hope in Times of Fear – The Resurrection and Meaning of Easter.”
It covers much ground, albeit in a short article:
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/20-quotes-keller-hope/