John_3

Scripture

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Observation-What does it say?

One night Nicodemus, a Pharisee, came to visit Jesus in secret. Nicodemus surely realized through Jesus' teachings and the miracles he performed, that Jesus was sent from God. What Nicodemus failed to realize was he was actually speaking to God in the flesh. Jesus spoke to Nicodemus about things of God's kingdom, God's love for people, and God's redemptive plan for mankind. It is a verse that echoes throughout believers to this day.

Understanding-What does it mean?

If there is one verse to memorize and share with others...

The gospel of John will always hold a special place in my heart. It was the first book of the Bible my father had me read when I was young. The verse that I chose today (John 3:16), was also the very first verse my dad had me memorize when I was a kid too. As a kid I could honestly say that when I memorized this verse, I just did it for the sake of memorizing it. They were just words to me. Then the more I went on in life, the more this verse seemed to follow me wherever I turned. I found it being referenced by the pastors who I listened to on Sunday mornings. I would hear it referenced on the radio stations in the car as my dad drove our family places. I even turned on the television to watch a sports game with my dad, and some fan would be holding a bright neon sign referencing this verse! God must have been trying to tell me something, and am I glad He did! All these "coincidences" of running into this verse wherever I went and whatever I did had me really question what this verse truly meant to me. 

The further I meditated and prayed over this verse, I realized just how much God loves me! No matter how sinful and unworthy I may be, He still loves me! He provided a way for me to spend eternity with Him. Others who may not understand the Christian faith see it as too much of a sacrifice on their part to leave their sinful lifestyle behind. But it is God, who sacrificed so much for us, that He was willing to die for us.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”-Romans 5:8 NIV

And it is through this act of love in which I choose to follow Jesus.  He is my redeemer.  He is my Lord and Savior.

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”-John 3:17 NIV

Life Application

As a Christ-Follower, I need to be less judgmental, and more compassionate and loving with others.

Thank you Jesus for your grace, mercy, sacrifice, and love. I'm thankful to serve a God like you. Thank you for providing this world an opportunity to spend eternity with you in Heaven. Thank you for choosing me God. May you help me to share your redemptive plan with others who may not know it. Give me the words to speak to them in a way that they can understand, so that you may open their eyes and heart to it. I lift these prayers onto you Jesus, Amen.

-Moses Gaddi