John 3:16 is a verse that many of us learned as toddlers, to be forever deeply etched in our minds. I sometimes wonder if it is possible that patients with memory loss are inexplicably still able to quote this verse verbatim years later.
Because of it’s frequency of use, I suddenly found that I had become bored with this verse. No longer reveling in the amazing truth it contains, no longer remembering the deeper meaning – complacency had set in.
But for some reason it entered my mind today and I could not ignore it and once again found myself in awe of the love of God. Phrase by phrase, bit by bit, this verse truly is like eating food for the soul!
“For God so loved the world”
“that He gave His only begotten Son,”
“that whoever believes in Him should not perish”
“but have everlasting life”
That’s a big love. A huge sacrifice. I have a lot of sons and I cannot imagine sending even one of them out to a certain death. The thought is simply horrifying. Granted, God knew the big picture, He knew that the end result would create an open door to Him for all of us.
There’s a reason we are taught this verse from the time we can open our mouths to speak. The entire salvation message is right there.
He loved us . . . He sent His ONLY Son to die in order to save us . . . if we believe in Him we will live eternally. This simple verse tells us all we need to come to Him!
Let’s not forget the greatness of His Word! Even the verses we know so well that we hardly hear them anymore, have such deep and wonderful truths in them. All we have to do is pull them out of the back of our memory, dust them off and be blessed.
I just read a book called John 3:16 by Nancy Moser. It is about what you talk about and how that verse and the fact that God gave up his son changed people’s life because they too had lost a son.
John 3:16 is a very powerful and wonderful verse. Thanks for devotion.
Shera,
This is so true! There is so much in that one verse….so much to be thankful for!
BEAUTIFUL post! LOVE it!
Shera,
This is such a great reminder. So often we take the verses that we think we know and don’t take the time to meditate on them. There is such a rich wealth of wisdom to be found there.
God Bless!
Joanne