John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Think about that. It's a verse we all know. Even non-believers have heard this spoken, seen it on signs at baseball games, or had it flippantly tossed in their direction in an attempt to win them to Christ.
But for a moment, sit back and read it as if you were hearing it for the first time.
For God so loved the WORLD. You are part of this world, this verse is written specifically for YOU.
How much did He love it? Enough to sacrifice His only Son. Because of our sin we are separated from God's holiness (Romans 3:23). There is no human who is capable of the righteousness that is required to be in communion with God. But that's not how the Lord wants it. He wants to have a relationship with you. He wants you to boldly approach His throne. But you can't do that in your sinful state. And so, He sent Jesus. A perfect sacrifice. Fully human and fully God (John 1:1, 14). He knows all of the desires and temptations of the flesh because He lived in the flesh. Think on that for a second. I do not serve a God who is so far removed from my state of being that He cannot have empathy and sympathy for me. He has been in my shoes. I digress....that's another thought for another blog.
Jesus said He loves us just as the Father loves Him (John 15:9). Because of that love, and His desire to glorify the Father, He gave up His rightful place in Heaven, and took on the clothes man so that we would have the chance to know Him (Phil 2:6-8).
You are loved by God. Creator of the universe. You are loved by Christ. The God-man who suffered and died to fulfill a law that no other human who has ever lived or ever will live could fulfill.
Sit in this knowledge. Meditate on the simplicity and complexity of this love.
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
