By Pastor Paul Hauschild
Chatfield and Root Prairie
Lutheran Churches
There are 66 books in the Bible, and some are so difficult and confusing to read… detailed, deep, and even dark. But when all is said and done, one verse stands alone! The verse is none other than John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that everyone who believes in him would not perish but have eternal life.” Let’s break it down…
“For God” – the greatest good! God loves us deeply and has the best plan and purpose for our lives. Because of Jesus, God is no longer the stern and angry judge that the Old Testament seems to indicate at times, but rather a gentle, loving Father full of grace and love.
“The World” – the greatest need! This shows the width of God’s love. He doesn’t just love one nation, or just those who love him back, or just the “good” people. God cares about the unlovable and the unlovely, the undesirable and the undeserving. St. Augustine once said: “God loves each of us as if there was only one of us to love.”
“That he gave” – the greatest example! God is a self-giving God… bestowing on us gift after gift, though we don’t deserve it. We are sometimes too concerned about what knowledge and perfection we can give to the Lord. But he simply requires a believing and humble heart.
“His only son” – the greatest sacrifice! Fully God and fully human our Creed says. God’s own precious son… a part of himself… died on the cross to take away all the punishment for our sins. It doesn’t stop there! He conquered the power of hell, put the devil in his place, and rose again to show us the true picture of God’s love and grace.
“That everyone” – the greatest invitation! Guess what? We’ve ALL been invited to the party! The Bible says that God desires all people be saved. If only everyone would say “yes” to this great banquet invitation! Even now, some don’t know that they are invited. What wonderful incentive to pass along his love and grace to everyone in town!
“Believes in him” – the greatest response! Our response is simply a mustard seed-sized faith. Simple trust and the vulnerability to open our hearts up to Jesus and be real with him about our needs and dreams. Don’t complicate it.
“May not perish” – the greatest horror! Verse 17 follows this rich verse with more truth: “God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” Too many are living in dark times right now and need the light of our hope and faith.
“But have eternal life” – the greatest promise! Not earned, but given to us as a gift through faith, lest anyone should boast (Eph. 2:8-9). Salvation is ours, not because we are good enough, but because Jesus is! Now let us respond to this great promise by being his hands and feet in the world.