I can’t remember a time that I did not know the words to John 3:16. It’s one of the verses I learned when I was so young that I can’t even remember not knowing it. My first inclination when writing this post was to focus on verses other than that one, simply because, well – we all probably know it already. Reading through the chapter to prepare for today though, that verse kept popping out at me. I started realizing that, probably because of its familiarity, maybe it’s something I take for granted?
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
I want us to read this verse today like it’s the first time. Who does God love? The world. Everyone. All of the people of every nation and race, rich and poor, sick and healthy, etc. Jesus tells us God’s love is for each and every individual – no exclusions. Not only that, he loves us even before we acknowledge Him. “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
“He gave his only Son…” My children are so far from perfect it’s almost difficult to analogize this, but I cannot think of any earthly circumstance in which I would offer up one of them to be tortured and put to death on behalf of someone else. Much less if they other party was guilty and my child was innocent. As parents, we love our children and fiercely protect them from harm. My mind cannot even conceive of the kind of love that God has for the world that he could let His perfect and blameless son die the way he did for ME.
“…that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” Notice what God asks of us in return? Nothing! Jesus doesn’t start talking about the 10 Commandments and all of the laws and rules of the Old Testament. The gift God gave us was given freely. The gift of Jesus’ death on the cross is for everyone and anyone – The only caveat is that we have to believe in Him. God takes away the punishment for our son in exchange for our Faith.
Challenge yourself today to really meditate on this verse. Think about (1) God’s love being for E.V.E.R.Y.O.N.E. (something my pride struggles with sometimes); (2) the only thing God of us asks is that we believe (no “to-do” list of good acts before God lets us into heaven); and (3) give thanks to God in prayer for His merciful love.