The Son

Read John 3:16

This text is a very familiar one.  It is a text that children memorize and recite before the church on Sunday morning.  It is a text that most Christian adults know by heart, because at some point in their lives they had to memorize it and recite it before the church on Sunday morning.  It is a text that sums up the crux of Christianity.  Given all that though, I am not sure we really understand its meaning.

This text reminds us…

of God’s love, not just for those who believe in Jesus Christ, but for the whole world. It reminds us of God’s love, not just for The United States of America, but for the whole world.  It reminds us of God’s love for the Jew and the Palestinian.  God’s love is far-reaching.  God’s love is free of bias.  We are all God’s people.  According to our text today, Christians do not have a monopoly on Jesus.

This text reminds us that…

salvation is more than deliverance from sin and personal holiness.

It is being completely delivered from oneself and being placed in perfect union with God through Christ.  Salvation is about surrender; surrender to God’s love.  Salvation challenges us to give ourselves to Jesus in the same way that Jesus gave Himself to us: totally, unconditionally and without reservation.

This text reminds us that…

we are called not to preach holiness or sanctification, but Jesus Christ. Too much time is spent in church preaching condemnation, prosperity and politics.  Not enough time is spent preaching and teaching Jesus Christ.  Holiness flows out of relationship with Jesus.  Get Jesus in the picture and the other things will work themselves out through Him.

Prayer:

Lord, help us to be grateful for the sacrifice and obedience of the Son.  You gave us Your One and Only.  Teach us to be faithful enough to do the same, giving You our very lives. Remind us of your far-reaching love, help us to surrender to You, and always lead us back to the Son.