Wednesday in Lent

1Verse 1. On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet, saying: 2Verse 2. “Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and also to the remnant of the people. Ask them, 3Verse 3. ‘Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not appear to you like nothing in comparison?’ 4Verse 4. But now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. And be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work! For I am with you, declares the LORD of Hosts. 5Verse 5. This is the promise I made to you when you came out of Egypt. And My Spirit remains among you; do not be afraid.” 6Verse 6. For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. 7Verse 7. I will shake all the nations, and they will come with all their treasures, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of Hosts. 8Verse 8. The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, declares the LORD of Hosts. 9Verse 9. The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former, says the LORD of Hosts. And in this place I will provide peace, declares the LORD of Hosts.” 20Verse 20. For the second time that day, the twenty-fourth day of the month, the word of the LORD came to Haggai, saying, 21Verse 21. “Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I am about to shake the heavens and the earth: 22Verse 22. I will overturn royal thrones and destroy the power of the kingdoms of the nations. I will overturn chariots and their riders; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother. 23Verse 23. On that day, declares the LORD of Hosts, I will take you, My servant, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, declares the LORD, and I will make you like My signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the LORD of Hosts.”

34Verse 34. The crowd replied, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever. So how can You say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35Verse 35. Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36Verse 36. While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of light.” After Jesus had spoken these things, He went away and was hidden from them. 37Verse 37. Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him. 38Verse 38. This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” 39Verse 39. For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says: 40Verse 40. “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.” 41Verse 41. Isaiah said these things because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about Him. 42Verse 42. Nevertheless, many of the leaders believed in Him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue. 43Verse 43. For they loved praise from men more than praise from God. 44Verse 44. Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in Me does not believe in Me alone, but in the One who sent Me. 45Verse 45. And whoever sees Me sees the One who sent Me. 46Verse 46. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should remain in darkness. 47Verse 47. As for anyone who hears My words and does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I have not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48Verse 48. There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not receive My words: The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49Verse 49. I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it. 50Verse 50. And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say.”