John 3: Jesus and Nicodemus

Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a teacher of the Law

Who saw the miracles Jesus did, holding Him in awe.

“Teacher we know you’re sent by God” Nicodemus declared,

“But I am unable to understand some of the things you’ve shared.”

“I know you always speak the truth because of the signs you perform,

But it seems to me you are convinced we Pharisees need to reform.”

Jesus answered and said to Him, “You must be born anew.

Pharisees love to interpret the law, but its message misconstrue.”

“How can I be born again? I cannot enter my mother’s womb;”

There must be a hidden message here. That’s what I assume.”

“You must be born of water and Spirit; receive God’s saving grace.

Repent and believe, follow Me; your sins will be erased.”

“There is no way to save yourself; by works you cannot receive it.

It comes freely through faith in God if only you will believe it.

It takes intervention to save your soul from spiritual damnation;

This mighty work of the Holy Spirit gives instant regeneration.”

“It’s as mysterious as the wind blowing first here, then there.

Upon observing true repentance, God will answer your prayer.

This is the way for sinful men to become God’s adopted heir

To our great joy we inherit heaven and live eternally there.”

“These are truths you must understand as a teacher of God’s Law.

The perfect law reveals your sin, but grace will hold you in awe.

God’s redemption is man’s great hope, the product of His love.

Instead of destroying His high creation, Jesus came from above.”

“For God so loved the world He created, He sent His only Son;

Justice attained and fully sated, a victory for us was won.

Christ did not come to condemn the world; He lovingly came to save us.

Receive and believe the gospel news that He freely gave us.”

So if you think our God is irate just waiting up there to hurt us,

It is time for you to get the facts straight: He didn’t want to desert us.

Jesus came to pay sin’s price, to purchase our sin exemption.

By dying on Golgotha’s cross, He paved the road to redemption.

© Copyright 2016 George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved

John 2: The Miracle of Water into Wine

There was a wedding in Galilee and Jesus was invited.

When the host ran out of wine Mary became excited.

Mary told Jesus, “They have no wine, something must be done.”

Jesus replied, “Mother not now, My hour has not yet come.”

But like all mothers who love their sons, Mary was undeterred.

She gathered the servants all around and told them how to serve.

Whatever He tells you, that you will do; trust in what I say

You can believe in what He commands: There will be wine today.

Sitting nearby were six big pots, each of them holding a lot.

Jesus said to fill them with water all the way to the top.

The Bible doesn’t tell us how the water turned into wine,

But the pots contained enough to serve all the guests who dined.

When the master tasted this wine served by the faithful waiter,

He was astounded because they saved the very best wine for later.

This is no secret to all who know God, our glorious Creator:

When you compare His work to man’s, His will always be greater.

In the same way God sent the Law to reveal to man His sin,

But hard as he tries man is not able to conquer his sin within.

After a time grace was given to do what the law could not.

Through Christ’s death upon the cross salvation was fully wrought.

This is how Jesus began his mission to benefit all mankind.

His miracles and words of life the Bible clearly outlines.

You would be wise to pay attention to truths our God has given

Accredited by His death on the cross and the fact that He has risen.

There is a way man thinks is right, but in the end it deceives him.

He lives his life devoid of peace while hell waits to receive him.

God doesn’t want you to die in vain and face such eternal loss.

Jesus arrived with this chief aim: to die for your sin on the cross.

What will you do with this loving God? Will you open your heart?

Will you believe the Savior’s word, your life to Him impart?

He will transform you, make you whole, give you a reason to live

Superior to any mission or vision this fallen world can give.

© Copyright 2016 George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved

John 1:29-34: The Significance of the Savior’s Baptism

John 1:29-34: The Significance of the Savior’s Baptism

It happened in Bethany the very next day. John was preaching repentance

Declaring how sin’s prohibitive stain denied a heavenly entrance.

Scores and hundreds standing there were moved by his conviction,

Next to the Jordan with tear-filled eyes acknowledging sin’s affliction.

Suddenly Jesus came into view, walked directly on to the scene.

Instantly John beheld His Lord, the One who could make man clean.

“This is the One I preached about, the One far greater than me,

Behold the Savior of Israel. Believe me, this is He!”

Deep within a vision was given, an assurance received without doubt.

John saw the Spirit descend from heaven; the vision fully fleshed out.

The Spirit rested upon the Lord and then he heard God’s voice:

“He upon whom the Spirit rests, He is my Son, my choice.”

John knew then without a doubt He was Lord and Creator of all.

Lifting His voice he identified Christ with a loud and clarion call.

“Behold, dear friends, here is your Savior, the Lamb that God has sent;

He is the spotless Son of God who hears you when you repent.”

Jesus requested to  be baptized, but John didn’t want to do it;

Jesus was perfect in every way; no need for Him to go through it.

But Jesus divine, yet fully man, with mankind identified;

He came to become the Lamb of God that man may be sanctified.

And so John went into the water with Jesus at His side.

Under the water Jesus went denoting the death He would die.

Up out of the water to signify life He would give to the man

Who would place his trust in Christ as God’s salvation plan.

In that moment the heavens were opened with the dove in sight

Descending down over the water and on His shoulder alight.

Then that powerful voice was heard, “With Him, my Son, I am pleased!”

Thus began the work of salvation the Triune God conceived.

Here we see the salvation plan of the Father, Son, and Spirit.

O that we would study His Word; learn to love and revere it!

Man so helpless, steeped in sin, so broken, fractured, and lost

Can be forgiven, Christ within, at heaven’s infinite cost.

© Copyright 2016 George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved

John 1:19-28: Who are You John?

John 1:19-28: Who are You, John?

John’s ministry was so commanding, he soon came under review.

The priests and Levites came to him asking, “Tell us, who are you?”

With thunderous voice, outlandish dress, could he be Elijah?

A few among them may have thought he could be the Messiah.

“No,” John said, but continued to preach with very great conviction.

His ministry involved an element of Messianic prediction.

Obviously unsatisfied they continued to press him harder.

“Who is this man of deep persuasion preaching with such ardor?”

“Are you the prophet?” He said “no.” Then they asked again.

“Who are you, John? Why are you here and where have you been?

We must have an answer for the rulers, we must be in one accord?”

He replied, “I am a voice in the wilderness: prepare to meet the Lord.”

It soon became clear that his questioners were distinguished Pharisees

Known for how they kept the Law, impressively scholarly.

“If you’re not a prophet or the Christ, why the baptism response

Among those who follow you seeking a renaissance?”

“Baptism pictures repentance and cleansing, a message for all who hear it,

But there is One soon to come who will cleanse us by His Spirit.

He is the one who is important here; I’m unworthy to loose His sandals,

He is the One who will cleanse our soul, save us from sin and scandal.”

All this took place beyond the Jordan where people streamed to John,

Needing forgiveness, requesting baptism, desiring their sin to be gone.

Unknown to John and all these people so burdened with sin’s sorrow

God’s Redeemer will be revealed when they gather on the morrow.

© Copyright 2016 George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved