John 3:16

I bet that you know verse 16 of John chapter 3 by heart. In fact, I think it’s the most popular verse in the United States. People quote it, they write it down on posters at sports games, they wear the reference on a bracelet. You name it, it’s probably been done.
 
Did you find yourself saying the verse in your own mind once I mentioned it? I did and it reminded me of something I was shown a long time ago. We all know at least in our heads that Jesus came to earth to save us because He loved us. But what does that mean to us really, like deep down in our hearts? In order to understand better, my teachers told me to put my name in the place of “the world” in John 3 verse 16. So I did…

“For this is how God loved Ivan: He gave His one and only Son, so that if Ivan believes in Him, he will not perish but have eternal life.”

Now take my name out and put yours in. Does that put a different spin on things? God loved you so much that He wanted to rescue you from sin’s death-march that you were on. And from the beginning of time, He chose to send the Rescuer, His own Son. Through Him, God’s love was lived out in flesh and blood.
 
In this week’s chapter we see how Jesus is the Son of God. And on Sunday, we will be asking the questions: Who do people say that He is? Who do His disciples say that He is? And Who do WE say that He is? That is the most crucial question of all. God knows what He thinks of you (hint: you are treasured and loved). What do you think about Him?

​Ivan