John 3:14-17
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 is one of the most well-known verses among Christians. Martin Luther once called it the “gospel in a nutshell.” This verse reveals the immeasurable and sovereign love of God.
From many passages in the Old Testament, we see how human hearts are filled with wickedness and sin, and how the holy God abhors sin. Throughout history, God has repeatedly declared His judgment on sin. Yet, the same God who hates sin also loves the world. How can this be?
In fact, God’s love for the world and His desire to save sinners from sin is also consistently shown in the Old Testament. Ezekiel 18:23 says, “Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live.” Though God despises sin, He does not delight in the death of sinners.
No one is born a Christian. The apostle Paul reminds us that we were all once like the rest of the world—indulging the cravings of our flesh, following its desires and thoughts. Because of this, we—and the whole world—were under God’s wrath, with no one able to escape His judgment. But God, being rich in mercy, loved us with an everlasting love. Even when we were dead in our transgressions, He made us alive together with Christ (Ephesians 2:3-7).
Brothers and sisters, how do you measure love? How do you express love?
Some say that when you truly love someone, you are willing to make sacrifices for them. If you’re a fan of a celebrity or a sports team, you’ll willingly spend money on their merchandise to show your support and affection.
How did God show His love for the world? To save a fallen world lost in darkness, God was willing to give His best—His dearest and only Son—to all who believe in Him. Through Jesus, all who believe are saved from sin and judgment and receive eternal life.
When the Israelites rebelled against God and Moses in the wilderness, they faced judgment as poisonous snakes bit many of them, causing their deaths. But God, in His mercy, provided a way for salvation for the repentant. He instructed Moses to make a bronze snake and lift it on a pole. Whoever was bitten and looked at the bronze snake would live.
Jesus is the fulfillment of that bronze snake—He was lifted on the cross. All who believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for their sins will live and receive eternal life.
Many think of eternal life as a future resurrection life. But John tells us that we can experience this life now. “In Him was life.” (John 1:4) The essence of this life is not just about its length but about knowing Jesus Christ, who has entered the world.
Do you know Jesus and have you experienced His love for you?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, it is hard for us to imagine willingly laying down our lives for others. Yet You, the Son of God, chose to be nailed to the cross for us. Thank You, Lord! Help me to lift my eyes to Your salvation daily and to know You more deeply as I live in this eternal life You’ve given. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!
John 3:16 is one of the most well-known verses among Christians. Martin Luther once called it the “gospel in a nutshell.” This verse reveals the immeasurable and sovereign love of God.
From many passages in the Old Testament, we see how human hearts are filled with wickedness and sin, and how the holy God abhors sin. Throughout history, God has repeatedly declared His judgment on sin. Yet, the same God who hates sin also loves the world. How can this be?
In fact, God’s love for the world and His desire to save sinners from sin is also consistently shown in the Old Testament. Ezekiel 18:23 says, “Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live.” Though God despises sin, He does not delight in the death of sinners.
No one is born a Christian. The apostle Paul reminds us that we were all once like the rest of the world—indulging the cravings of our flesh, following its desires and thoughts. Because of this, we—and the whole world—were under God’s wrath, with no one able to escape His judgment. But God, being rich in mercy, loved us with an everlasting love. Even when we were dead in our transgressions, He made us alive together with Christ (Ephesians 2:3-7).
Brothers and sisters, how do you measure love? How do you express love?
Some say that when you truly love someone, you are willing to make sacrifices for them. If you’re a fan of a celebrity or a sports team, you’ll willingly spend money on their merchandise to show your support and affection.
How did God show His love for the world? To save a fallen world lost in darkness, God was willing to give His best—His dearest and only Son—to all who believe in Him. Through Jesus, all who believe are saved from sin and judgment and receive eternal life.
When the Israelites rebelled against God and Moses in the wilderness, they faced judgment as poisonous snakes bit many of them, causing their deaths. But God, in His mercy, provided a way for salvation for the repentant. He instructed Moses to make a bronze snake and lift it on a pole. Whoever was bitten and looked at the bronze snake would live.
Jesus is the fulfillment of that bronze snake—He was lifted on the cross. All who believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for their sins will live and receive eternal life.
Many think of eternal life as a future resurrection life. But John tells us that we can experience this life now. “In Him was life.” (John 1:4) The essence of this life is not just about its length but about knowing Jesus Christ, who has entered the world.
Do you know Jesus and have you experienced His love for you?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, it is hard for us to imagine willingly laying down our lives for others. Yet You, the Son of God, chose to be nailed to the cross for us. Thank You, Lord! Help me to lift my eyes to Your salvation daily and to know You more deeply as I live in this eternal life You’ve given. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!