Our scripture this morning is John 3:16-17 (NLT).
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
This passage may be the best known piece of scripture in the world, and for good reason. Jesus makes this statement about Himself as an explanation to Nicodemus the Pharisee, telling us how much God loves us and why He has come. God has made a way for us to be saved through the gift of His Son.
Jesus wants us to see how much we are loved by what He has to teach us and what He will do for us. His lessons and His sacrifice for us show what God is willing to do in order to bring us back from sin. Later in the Gospel of John Jesus tells us “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).
We may not be called to die for one another, but we are all called to give our lives to Christ and share the love He brought us with everyone. Jesus didn’t come to condemn us, but when He returns there will be judgement based on how we loved the world and Him. Through His strength, we can all be saved.
Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we ignore Your love and fail to share it with Your children. Forgive us and send us to tell everyone the Good News. Amen.
