So many people know John 3:16 in some form or other. You see it at sporting events, political rallies, church posters, social media and the like. it is perhaps the most quoted scripture from the Bible.
Yet, it is the most quoted and most presented because of the lack of understanding people have of this scripture and the scriptures that surround it, providing the true context of the verse.
One thing to remember is that these verses are proceeded by the discussion between Jesus and Nicodemus regarding who Jesus actually was. So, the following half a dozen or so verses are the culmination of Jesus’ discussion, and the presentation of the gospel to Nicodemus.
John 3:16-21 says…
Verses 16-18: “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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
I ask you to consider this question - “What are you willing to give up for another person - especially someone who might not be part of your family or close group of friends?” - Are you willing to give up time? Are you willing to give up some of your hard earned income? Are you willing to give up rooms of your house? Are you willing to give up a car? Are you willing to give up your life for another? Do you love other people that much?
Those questions are the very foundation of John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son” - God (Yahweh), The Almighty, the eternal One, The Creator, our Heavenly Father…loves us so much that HE willingly sacrificed HIS son (who is part of HIM) so that we (humanity) can have a restored eternal relationship with God.
How blessed is humanity? That the ultimate divine being, who created the entire universe loves us so much that HE sacrificed HIMSELF so that we can be be physically and spiritually restored to HIM.
God does not want us to perish or be banished to Hell - rather HE wants to be in relationship with us for eternity.
Our choice to either believe in HIS son - Jesus - or not, is what leads to eternal blessings or eternal damnation. however, it is God’s will and desire that ‘ALL’ be saved.
Verses 19-21: “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”
It is interesting to note that Jesus uses legal language here. And that is for a reason - HE is still having a discussion with Nicodemus. This is a point many people who use this collection of verses forget, and it is an important context. Jesus uses legal language because HE is talking to a teacher of the law.
Jesus is telling Nicodemus that the reason people are not accepting of Jesus, and are not believing that HE is the Messiah is because they are comfortable in their sin and their pleasure.
Those that prefer to live in sin will naturally seek the darkness because that is the natural environment for sin.
Whereas, those that live in the light want to live righteously, and it is those righteous acts that God values. Those who live in the light are not afraid of God seeing them go about their lives.
To live in either of those environments takes a choice on our behalf. We either choose the the truth that is found in the light, or we choose the lies and deception found in the darkness.
I pray that if you have already chosen the path of the light that stems from belief in Jesus - that you grow evermore closer to your Lord and Saviour.
If you haven’t made the decision to follow Jesus, and accept that HE is the Son of God, and is God (as part of the Trinity) - that you call out to Jesus and ask HIM to reveal HIMSELF to you in a meaningful way. May Jesus cause you to draw near to HIM.