What does 3:16 mean?

 

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Often quoted and often misunderstood. What do these 25 words really mean?

Every loving parent would do all in their power for their offspring. And as they grow up, having nurtured them and seen them become adults, nothing tears a parent's heart more than to see their children leave the nest and fly away; either to study at a far off University, or to find a job, or to set up a family of their own.

When Jesus taught us the Lord's prayer He said, "Our Father ..."

He did not say, "Our Master, Leader, Teacher," or any other description to identify God. He called Him Father to underline the fact that He is a Creator God who created all of us; and like every loving parent He loves us so much that He would do anything for us. 

He loves us all the same, but on an individual basis each according to our needs. Just like you would if you had children and loved each one differently but the same limitless amount.

God loved each one of us so much that He gave up His only Son for us. Yes, for you, and you, and you, and everyone through the ages past and years to come.

He loved everyone so that we may have eternal life. 

But there is a condition.

In order to have eternal life we must believe in Him. The invitation to eternal life is offered to everyone; but we must respond to the RSVP.

The word "whosoever" in John 3:16 means everyone. Every person that ever lived in the past, present and future has this invitation as of right by being a child of God; our Father in Heaven.

Perhaps we should replace the word "whosoever" with our name. Try it. See how it feels.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that if Victor believes in Him he should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Nothing tears a parent's heart so much than to see one's offspring go. Yet God willingly gave up His only Son for you, and you and all of us.

And all He asks is that we return that love to Him and obey and respect His Commandments.

For what is love?

 

Yesterday's post dealt with love. Specifically the difficulty that some people have to express that love; and to tell others of their affection.

Love is often misunderstood. Some see it as a feeling, others see it is a conscious decision made after careful thought and consideration. Some people base their love on physical attraction alone, or shared interest and "having fun" with the other person you "love".

So what is love?

It is true that physical attraction often plays a part when we meet someone we fall in love with; but this is not always the case and is not the most important factor in a lasting relationship.

Perhaps the main component of true love is caring. Caring for the other person no matter what happens. Caring in the good times as well as the bad. 

Caring love is not confined to just couples but is also true between parents and offspring and vice-versa; or caring love towards other relatives or friends; or even complete strangers.  

There are many examples of caring love:

Maximilian Maria Kolbe, (8 January 1894 – 14 August 1941), was a Polish Catholic priest who volunteered to die in place of a man named Franciszek Gajowaniczek, in the German death camp of Auschwitz. 

Mother Teresa of Calcutta spent her life looking after and caring for the poor and destitute.

Father Damien De Veuster is known for his works amongst the lepers on the island of Molokai.

I am sure you can think of many other examples of caring love not just amongst couples and people who know each other, but also caring love to complete strangers.

However, the best known instance of eternal caring love is, "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." John 3:16

This was well considered and pre-planned caring love from God towards humanity. God loved His creations so much that even though we erred and distanced ourselves from Him, He decided to send us Jesus knowing full well that we would rebel and kill Him. 

And Jesus, knowing full well what is to come and happen to Him, accepted this mission in pure obedience of His Father and in true caring love for us.

So where does that leave us?

How can we return this caring love to God and Jesus? How can we possibly "care" for them? They don't need us, or our care, in the sense that God will be in any way diminished if we don't love Him in return, or if we turn our backs on Him.

We may say glibly that we love God; or we love Jesus. But how do we show this love?

Some would argue that we show this love by obeying God and by following His teachings and commandments. This is certainly true; however, most important; that obedience of ours should not be motivated by fear. We do not love God for fear of the consequences. We love Him as a conscious, well-considered decision, based on respect and on the honest desire to respond to His love, knowing full well that there is nothing we can possibly do to repay His love for us.

We love God, (and Jesus), because we "care" for what they have done for us and we respond to their love through our genuine gratitude.

As they have loved us, we in turn strive to share that love with one another.