The Upper Room Daily Reflections in Nashville, Tennessee, United States - "Intercessory Prayer" for Saturday, 10 March 2018Today’s Reflection:
THIS YEAR all of March falls in the season of Lent, the season when we spend extra time in prayer as we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. In your prayer time this month, add these people to those you normally pray for.Praying for others is called intercessory prayer because you intercede or ask something on behalf of someone else. Sometimes when we pray for others, we pray about specific needs we know they have. Other times, when we don’t know their needs, we may simply ask God to bless them.
Prayer focus for March 10: Someone who’s hard to like. (Pockets March-April 2018)
From Lenten Prayer Calendar in Pockets: For Kids Who Love God, March 2018. Copyright © 2018 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question: Pray for someone who is hard to like.
Today’s Scripture: For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. (Ephesians 2:10, NRSV)
This Week: Pray persons who are experiencing new beginnings.
Did You Know?
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center website.
This week we remember: John of God (March 8).
John of God
March 08
Did You Know?
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center website.
This week we remember: John of God (March 8).
John of God
March 08
John of God, born in Portugal in 1495, worked as a shepherd and mercenary soldier before he had experienced conversion when he was forty. John decided to try to ransom Christian slaves held by Moors by giving himself in another's place. A Franciscan priest convinced him to find a more practical way to serve God.John began to sell religious books and holy pictures. In Granada he heard a sermon by John of Avila, and was overcome by the thought of his sins; because of his erratic behavior in response to this awakening, he was taken to a lunatic hospital. The prescribed treatment of daily beatings made sense to his need to atone for past wrongdoings, but John of Avila visited him and said he had done enough penance.
John of God worked as a nurse in the hospital until he left to rent a house and care for homeless sick persons. He and the others who joined him begged for funds to support their ministry, forming the Brothers Hospitallers' Order. John received numerous visions.
After saving a drowning man from a flood, John of God became ill and died on his fifty-fifth birthday on March 8, 1550.
If John of God had taken the Spiritual Type Test, he probably would have been a Mystic. John of God is remembered on March 8.
Image is oil on canvas by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1617–1682).
Lectionary Readings for Sunday, 11 March 201
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
Ephesians 2:1-10
John 3:14-21
Today's Scripture: Numbers 21:4 Then they traveled from Mount Hor on the road toward the Sea of Suf in order to go around the land of Edom; but the people’s tempers grew short because of the detour. 5 The people spoke against God and against Moshe: “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt? To die in the desert? There’s no real food, there’s no water, and we’re sick of this miserable stuff we’re eating!”
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
Ephesians 2:1-10
John 3:14-21
Today's Scripture: Numbers 21:4 Then they traveled from Mount Hor on the road toward the Sea of Suf in order to go around the land of Edom; but the people’s tempers grew short because of the detour. 5 The people spoke against God and against Moshe: “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt? To die in the desert? There’s no real food, there’s no water, and we’re sick of this miserable stuff we’re eating!”
(LY: vi) 6 In response, Adonai sent poisonous snakes among the people; they bit the people, and many of Isra’el’s people died. 7 The people came to Moshe and said, “We sinned by speaking against Adonai and against you. Pray to Adonai that he rid us of these snakes.” Moshe prayed for the people, 8 and Adonai answered Moshe: “Make a poisonous snake and put it on a pole. When anyone who has been bitten sees it, he will live.” 9 Moshe made a bronze snake and put it on the pole; if a snake had bitten someone, then, when he looked toward the bronze snake, he stayed alive.
Psalm 107:1 Give thanks to Adonai; for he is good,
for his grace continues forever.
2 Let those redeemed by Adonai say it,
those he redeemed from the power of the foe.
3 He gathered them from the lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the sea., 17 There were foolish people who suffered affliction
because of their crimes and sins;
18 they couldn’t stand to eat anything;
they were near the gates of death.
19 In their trouble they cried to Adonai,
and he rescued them from their distress;
20 he sent his word and healed them,
he delivered them from destruction.
21 Let them give thanks to Adonai for his grace,
for his wonders bestowed on humanity!
22 Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving
and proclaim his great deeds with songs of joy.
Ephesians 2:1 You used to be dead because of your sins and acts of disobedience. 2 You walked in the ways of the ‘olam hazeh and obeyed the Ruler of the Powers of the Air, who is still at work among the disobedient. 3 Indeed, we all once lived this way — we followed the passions of our old nature and obeyed the wishes of our old nature and our own thoughts. In our natural condition we were headed for God’s wrath, just like everyone else.
4 But God is so rich in mercy and loves us with such intense love 5 that, even when we were dead because of our acts of disobedience, he brought us to life along with the Messiah — it is by grace that you have been delivered. 6 That is, God raised us up with the Messiah Yeshua and seated us with him in heaven, 7 in order to exhibit in the ages to come how infinitely rich is his grace, how great is his kindness toward us who are united with the Messiah Yeshua. 8 For you have been delivered by grace through trusting, and even this is not your accomplishment but God’s gift. 9 You were not delivered by your own actions; therefore no one should boast. 10 For we are of God’s making, created in union with the Messiah Yeshua for a life of good actions already prepared by God for us to do.
John 3:14 Just as Moshe lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 so that everyone who trusts in him may have eternal life.
16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only and unique Son, so that everyone who trusts in him may have eternal life, instead of being utterly destroyed. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but rather so that through him, the world might be saved. 18 Those who trust in him are not judged; those who do not trust have been judged already, in that they have not trusted in the one who is God’s only and unique Son.
19 “Now this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, but people loved the darkness rather than the light. Why? Because their actions were wicked. 20 For everyone who does evil things hates the light and avoids it, so that his actions won’t be exposed. 21 But everyone who does what is true comes to the light, so that all may see that his actions are accomplished through God.”
John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes: Numbers 21:4-9
Verse 4
[4] And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.
By way of the Red-sea — Which leadeth to the Red-sea, as they must needs do to compass the land of Edom.
Because of the way — By reason of this journey, which was long and troublesome, and unexpected, because the successful entrance and victorious progress which some of them had made in the borders of Canaan, made them think they might have speedily gone in and taken possession of it, and so have saved the tedious travels and farther difficulties, into which Moses had again brought them.
Verse 5
[5] And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.
Against God — Against Christ, their chief conductor, whom they tempted, 1 Corinthians 10:19. Thus contemptuously did they speak of Manna, whereas it appears it yielded excellent nourishment, because in the strength of it they were able to go so many and such tedious journeys.
Verse 6
[6] And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
Fiery serpents — There were many such in this wilderness, which having been hitherto restrained by God, are now let loose and sent among them. They are called fiery from their effects, because their poison caused an intolerable heat and burning and thirst, which was aggravated with this circumstance of the place, that here was no water, Numbers 21:5.
Verse 8
[8] And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
A fiery serpent — That is, the figure of a serpent in brass, which is of a fiery colour. This would require some time: God would not speedily take off the judgment, because he saw they were not throughly humbled.
Upon a pole — That the people might see it from all parts of the camp, and therefore the pole must be high, and the serpent large.
When he looketh — This method of cure was prescribed, that it might appear to be God's own work, and not the effect of nature or art: and that it might be an eminent type of our salvation by Christ. The serpent signified Christ, who was in the likeness of sinful flesh, though without sin, as this brazen serpent had the outward shape, but not the inward poison, of the other serpents: the pole resembled the cross upon which Christ was lifted up for our salvation: and looking up to it designed our believing in Christ.
Verse 9
[9] And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
He lived — He was delivered from death, and cured of his disease.
Verse 4
[4] And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.
By way of the Red-sea — Which leadeth to the Red-sea, as they must needs do to compass the land of Edom.
Because of the way — By reason of this journey, which was long and troublesome, and unexpected, because the successful entrance and victorious progress which some of them had made in the borders of Canaan, made them think they might have speedily gone in and taken possession of it, and so have saved the tedious travels and farther difficulties, into which Moses had again brought them.
Verse 5
[5] And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.
Against God — Against Christ, their chief conductor, whom they tempted, 1 Corinthians 10:19. Thus contemptuously did they speak of Manna, whereas it appears it yielded excellent nourishment, because in the strength of it they were able to go so many and such tedious journeys.
Verse 6
[6] And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
Fiery serpents — There were many such in this wilderness, which having been hitherto restrained by God, are now let loose and sent among them. They are called fiery from their effects, because their poison caused an intolerable heat and burning and thirst, which was aggravated with this circumstance of the place, that here was no water, Numbers 21:5.
Verse 8
[8] And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
A fiery serpent — That is, the figure of a serpent in brass, which is of a fiery colour. This would require some time: God would not speedily take off the judgment, because he saw they were not throughly humbled.
Upon a pole — That the people might see it from all parts of the camp, and therefore the pole must be high, and the serpent large.
When he looketh — This method of cure was prescribed, that it might appear to be God's own work, and not the effect of nature or art: and that it might be an eminent type of our salvation by Christ. The serpent signified Christ, who was in the likeness of sinful flesh, though without sin, as this brazen serpent had the outward shape, but not the inward poison, of the other serpents: the pole resembled the cross upon which Christ was lifted up for our salvation: and looking up to it designed our believing in Christ.
Verse 9
[9] And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
He lived — He was delivered from death, and cured of his disease.
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
Verse 3
[3] And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
Gathered — Into their own land.
Verse 17
[17] Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
Afflicted — With sickness.
Verse 20
[20] He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Word — His command, or blessing.
Verse 3
[3] And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
Gathered — Into their own land.
Verse 17
[17] Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
Afflicted — With sickness.
Verse 20
[20] He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Word — His command, or blessing.
Ephesians 2:1-10
Verse 1
[1] And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
And he hath quickened you — In the nineteenth and twentieth verses of the preceding chapter, St. Paul spoke of God's working in them by the same almighty power whereby he raised Christ from the dead. On the mention of this he, in the fulness of his heart, runs into a flow of thought concerning the glory of Christ's exaltation in the three following verses. He here resumes the thread of his discourse.
Who were dead — Not only diseased, but dead; absolutely void of all spiritual life; and as incapable of quickening yourselves, as persons literally dead. In trespasses and sins-Sins seem to be spoken chiefly of the gentiles, who knew not God; trespasses, of the Jews, who had his law, and yet regarded it not, Ephesians 2:5. The latter herein obeyed the flesh; the former, the prince of the power of the air.
Verse 2
[2] Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
According to the course of this world — The word translated course properly means a long series of times, wherein one corrupt age follows another.
According to the prince of the power of the air — The effect of which power all may perceive, though all do not understand the cause of it: a power unspeakably penetrating and widely diffused; but yet, as to its baneful influences, beneath the orb of believers. The evil spirits are united under one head, the seat of whose dominion is in the air. Here he sometimes raises storms, sometimes makes visionary representations, and is continually roving to and fro.
The spirit that now worketh — With mighty power; and so he did, and doth in all ages.
In the sons of disobedience — In all who do not believe and obey the gospel.
Verse 3
[3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Among whom we — Jews.
Also, formerly had our conversation: doing the will of the flesh — In gross, brutal sins.
And of the mind — By spiritual, diabolical wickedness. In the former clause, flesh denotes the whole evil nature; in the latter, the body opposed to the soul.
And were by nature — That is, in our natural state.
Children of wrath — Having the wrath of God abiding on us, even as the gentiles. This expression, by nature, occurs also, Galatians 4:8; Romans 2:14; and thrice in the eleventh chapter. Romans 11:24 But in none of these places does it signify, by custom, or practice, or customary practice, as a late writer affirms. Nor can it mean so here For this would make the apostle guilty of gross tautology, their customary sinning having been expressed already, in the former part of the verse. But all these passages agree in expressing what belongs to the nature of the persons spoken of.
Verse 4
[4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Mercy removes misery: love confers salvation.
Verse 5
[5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
He hath quickened us together with Christ — In conformity to him, and by virtue of our union with him.
By grace ye are saved — Grace is both the beginning and end. The apostle speaks indifferently either in the first or second person; the Jews and gentiles being in the same circumstance, both by nature and by grace. This text lays the axe to the very root of spiritual pride, and all glorying in ourselves. Therefore St. Paul, foreseeing the backwardness of mankind to receive it, yet knowing the absolute necessity of its being received, again asserts the very same truth, Ephesians 2:8, in the very same words.
Verse 6
[6] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
And hath raised us up together — Both Jews and gentiles already in spirit; and ere long our bodies too will be raised.
And made us all sit together in heavenly places — This is spoken by way of anticipation. Believers are not yet possessed of their seats in heaven; but each of them has a place prepared for him.
Verse 7
[7] That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
The ages to come — That is, all succeeding ages.
Verse 8
[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
By grace ye are saved through faith — Grace, without any respect to human worthiness, confers the glorious gift. Faith, with an empty hand, and without any pretence to personal desert, receives the heavenly blessing.
And this is not of yourselves — This refers to the whole preceding clause, That ye are saved through faith, is the gift of God.
Verse 9
[9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Not by works — Neither this faith nor this salvation is owing to any works you ever did, will, or can do.
Verse 10
[10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
For we are his workmanship — Which proves both that salvation is by faith, and that faith is the gift of God.
Created unto good works — That afterwards we might give ourselves to them.
Which God had before preprepared — The occasions of them: so we must still ascribe the whole to God.
That we might walk in them — Though not be justified by them.
Verse 1
[1] And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
And he hath quickened you — In the nineteenth and twentieth verses of the preceding chapter, St. Paul spoke of God's working in them by the same almighty power whereby he raised Christ from the dead. On the mention of this he, in the fulness of his heart, runs into a flow of thought concerning the glory of Christ's exaltation in the three following verses. He here resumes the thread of his discourse.
Who were dead — Not only diseased, but dead; absolutely void of all spiritual life; and as incapable of quickening yourselves, as persons literally dead. In trespasses and sins-Sins seem to be spoken chiefly of the gentiles, who knew not God; trespasses, of the Jews, who had his law, and yet regarded it not, Ephesians 2:5. The latter herein obeyed the flesh; the former, the prince of the power of the air.
Verse 2
[2] Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
According to the course of this world — The word translated course properly means a long series of times, wherein one corrupt age follows another.
According to the prince of the power of the air — The effect of which power all may perceive, though all do not understand the cause of it: a power unspeakably penetrating and widely diffused; but yet, as to its baneful influences, beneath the orb of believers. The evil spirits are united under one head, the seat of whose dominion is in the air. Here he sometimes raises storms, sometimes makes visionary representations, and is continually roving to and fro.
The spirit that now worketh — With mighty power; and so he did, and doth in all ages.
In the sons of disobedience — In all who do not believe and obey the gospel.
Verse 3
[3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Among whom we — Jews.
Also, formerly had our conversation: doing the will of the flesh — In gross, brutal sins.
And of the mind — By spiritual, diabolical wickedness. In the former clause, flesh denotes the whole evil nature; in the latter, the body opposed to the soul.
And were by nature — That is, in our natural state.
Children of wrath — Having the wrath of God abiding on us, even as the gentiles. This expression, by nature, occurs also, Galatians 4:8; Romans 2:14; and thrice in the eleventh chapter. Romans 11:24 But in none of these places does it signify, by custom, or practice, or customary practice, as a late writer affirms. Nor can it mean so here For this would make the apostle guilty of gross tautology, their customary sinning having been expressed already, in the former part of the verse. But all these passages agree in expressing what belongs to the nature of the persons spoken of.
Verse 4
[4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Mercy removes misery: love confers salvation.
Verse 5
[5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
He hath quickened us together with Christ — In conformity to him, and by virtue of our union with him.
By grace ye are saved — Grace is both the beginning and end. The apostle speaks indifferently either in the first or second person; the Jews and gentiles being in the same circumstance, both by nature and by grace. This text lays the axe to the very root of spiritual pride, and all glorying in ourselves. Therefore St. Paul, foreseeing the backwardness of mankind to receive it, yet knowing the absolute necessity of its being received, again asserts the very same truth, Ephesians 2:8, in the very same words.
Verse 6
[6] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
And hath raised us up together — Both Jews and gentiles already in spirit; and ere long our bodies too will be raised.
And made us all sit together in heavenly places — This is spoken by way of anticipation. Believers are not yet possessed of their seats in heaven; but each of them has a place prepared for him.
Verse 7
[7] That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
The ages to come — That is, all succeeding ages.
Verse 8
[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
By grace ye are saved through faith — Grace, without any respect to human worthiness, confers the glorious gift. Faith, with an empty hand, and without any pretence to personal desert, receives the heavenly blessing.
And this is not of yourselves — This refers to the whole preceding clause, That ye are saved through faith, is the gift of God.
Verse 9
[9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Not by works — Neither this faith nor this salvation is owing to any works you ever did, will, or can do.
Verse 10
[10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
For we are his workmanship — Which proves both that salvation is by faith, and that faith is the gift of God.
Created unto good works — That afterwards we might give ourselves to them.
Which God had before preprepared — The occasions of them: so we must still ascribe the whole to God.
That we might walk in them — Though not be justified by them.
John 3:14-21
Verse 14
[14] And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
And as Moses — And even this single witness will soon be taken from you; yea, and in a most ignominious manner. Numbers 21:8,9.
Verse 15
[15] That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
That whosoever — He must be lifted up, that hereby he may purchase salvation for all believers: all those who look to him by faith recover spiritual health, even as all that looked at that serpent recovered bodily health.
Verse 16
[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Yea, and this was the very design of God's love in sending him into the world.
Whosoever believeth on him — With that faith which worketh by love, and hold fast the beginning of his confidence steadfast to the end.
God so loved the world — That is, all men under heaven; even those that despise his love, and will for that cause finally perish. Otherwise not to believe would be no sin to them. For what should they believe? Ought they to believe that Christ was given for them? Then he was given for them.
He gave his only Son — Truly and seriously. And the Son of God gave himself, Galatians 4:4, truly and seriously.
Verse 17
[17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world — Although many accuse him of it.
Verse 18
[18] He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
He that believeth on him is not condemned — Is acquitted, is justified before God.
The name of the only-begotten Son of God — The name of a person is often put for the person himself. But perhaps it is farther intimated in that expression, that the person spoken of is great and magnificent. And therefore it is generally used to express either God the Father or the Son.
Verse 19
[19] And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
This is the condemnation — That is, the cause of it. So God is clear.
Verse 21
[21] But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
He that practiseth the truth (that is, true religion) cometh to the light - So even Nicodemus, afterward did.
Are wrought in God — That is, in the light, power, and love of God.
***Verse 14
[14] And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
And as Moses — And even this single witness will soon be taken from you; yea, and in a most ignominious manner. Numbers 21:8,9.
Verse 15
[15] That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
That whosoever — He must be lifted up, that hereby he may purchase salvation for all believers: all those who look to him by faith recover spiritual health, even as all that looked at that serpent recovered bodily health.
Verse 16
[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Yea, and this was the very design of God's love in sending him into the world.
Whosoever believeth on him — With that faith which worketh by love, and hold fast the beginning of his confidence steadfast to the end.
God so loved the world — That is, all men under heaven; even those that despise his love, and will for that cause finally perish. Otherwise not to believe would be no sin to them. For what should they believe? Ought they to believe that Christ was given for them? Then he was given for them.
He gave his only Son — Truly and seriously. And the Son of God gave himself, Galatians 4:4, truly and seriously.
Verse 17
[17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world — Although many accuse him of it.
Verse 18
[18] He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
He that believeth on him is not condemned — Is acquitted, is justified before God.
The name of the only-begotten Son of God — The name of a person is often put for the person himself. But perhaps it is farther intimated in that expression, that the person spoken of is great and magnificent. And therefore it is generally used to express either God the Father or the Son.
Verse 19
[19] And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
This is the condemnation — That is, the cause of it. So God is clear.
Verse 21
[21] But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
He that practiseth the truth (that is, true religion) cometh to the light - So even Nicodemus, afterward did.
Are wrought in God — That is, in the light, power, and love of God.
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