January 17
Bible Reading: John 3:16-21
John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
You’ve likely memorized this verse. If not, you’ve probably seen it referenced on a sign at a football game. Pastors have preached plenty of sermons on John 3:16 and no verse has been more shared with others. But don’t let its familiarity rob you of the marvel of what we find here. There is a God who loves us, and so much so that He’s provided an indescribable gift in His very own Son!
John Phillips has eloquently spoken to the centrality of John 3:16: “We have now arrived at the great metropolis of gospel truth. No other single statement in the Bible so aptly sums up God’s redemptive purpose in Christ for the human race. Volumes have been written on it. It’s each and every word has been weighed and examined and marveled at and preached on. Who will ever know until the judgment seat of Christ how many millions of Adam’s ruined race have found their way to heaven by the discovery of John 3:16? The text itself revolves around ten words: God, loved, world, gave, Son, whosoever, believeth, perish, have, life. Those ten words make up the ‘constellation of the redeemer’ in the firmament of divine revelation. The creative work of God is summed up in ten commandments in Genesis 1 (‘And God said’). The legislative work of God is summed up in ten commandments in Exodus 20. The redemptive work of God is summed up in ten words here in John 3:16.”
John Phillips
What are we to take away from this wonderful verse? There is a God who loves us! He loves us although we were born rebel sinners. He loves us so much that He sent His Son into this sin-cursed world predetermined to die for our sins. He loves us and has provided by His grace a means for our salvation through faith. He loves us and has done all to rescue us from eternal destruction that we might instead experience His eternal life! For God so loved me! For God so loved you! Are you one of the “millions of Adam’s ruined race have found their way to heaven by the discovery of John 3:16?” If not, devote your soul’s attention to the gift God has provided and is now offering to you!
“Wonder of wonders! While we were His enemies and thirsting for the blood of His sinless Son, God loved us so much that He gave His Son, whom He loved above all else, to die on the cross that we might be saved.” – M. R. DeHaan
THE LOVE OF GOD
The love of God is greater far
than tongue or pen can ever tell;
it goes beyond the highest star,
and reaches to the lowest hell.
The wand’ring child is reconciled
by God’s beloved Son.
The aching soul again made whole,
and priceless pardon won.
Refrain:
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
the saints’ and angels’ song.
When ancient time shall pass away,
and human thrones and kingdoms fall;
when those who here refuse to pray
on rocks and hills and mountains call;
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
all measureless and strong;
grace will resound the whole earth round—
the saints’ and angels’ song. [Refrain]
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
and were the skies of parchment made;
were ev’ry stalk on earth a quill,
and ev’ryone a scribe by trade;
to write the love of God above
would drain the ocean dry;
nor could the scroll contain the whole,
though stretched from sky to sky. [Refrain]
LookingtoJesus 