Leaving Home

Lent 2 – March 1, 2026

Genesis 12:1-4a
Psalm 121
Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
John 3:1-17

There is a contrast in our texts today. That is between the seemingly willingness of Abram to explore a new relationship with God and Nicodemus who seems to hedge his bet by approaching Jesus by night. Of course the Abram story started out as oral tradition and has, possibly, removed any hesitancy Abram experienced. Leaving home and moving to some other place is challenging and even frightening. While some people do relish the adventure of moving around, most people like to stay in the comfort zone of where they have always lived. That is the difference between our stories today Abram is willing to answer God’s call while Nicodemus is a bit hesitant to do so. But that is our lives as well. I suspect that we are more like Nicodemus than Abram. We are comfortable in our lives and would prefer to keep it the way it is. To try something different or to move to an unknown place is too frightening or too much bother. Would your answer be, “No thank you God, I prefer to stay right here?” 

While you might be comfortable in the status quo, God is not. We all know that since at the beginning of our service today we confessed our sin. While we note this fact all year long we spend a bit more time on it during this season of Lent. That is why many people give up something for Lent. Although it often is a reflection of what we want rather than what God wants of us. Using the discipline of Lent as a self-improvement program. That is not what God is asking of us. God is asking us to give our whole life to God. That is what God asked of Abram; what Jesus asked of Nicodemus. It is interesting to note that Paul reminds us that Abraham did not see the completion of God’s promise but  only a glimmer of it. That is true of everyone we meet in the Bible. Flawed people who strove to achieved God’s promise but never seeing it to fruition. From Abraham, Moses, the disciples, to Paul, all who saw the promise and did their part by answering God’s call to change their lives and follow where God was directing them.

That was also Jesus’ call – pick up your cross and follow him. In this season of Lent I encourage you to spend extra time pondering God’s promise to you. A promise given through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. A promise that when you look to God you will find your help and salvation. With the gifts that God has so generously given you and the ample opportunities available you have to share those gifts boldly, walk the journey of Lent and take up something new. You do not have to pick everything up and move to some other place like Abram or give you life up as Paul. All you have to do is walk in the light of Christ and share the love of God with all the world.