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.

– John 1:1-14 (ESV)

Today’s passage is perhaps the most well-known verse in all of Scripture. And for good reason. It tells of God’s immeasurable love, His desire to save all who believe, and His call to bring humanity from darkness into marvellous light.

It takes place amid the wider conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, where Nicodemus questions how one can enter the Kingdom by being born again. Jesus’ answer starts to flesh out his identity as the Son of Man and His witness to the world, ultimately concluding in verses 14-15, “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

Jesus Himself is the answer to Nicodemus’ question. How can someone be born again? Only through the ultimate act of love: Jesus’ death and resurrection. They make salvation available to all who would believe! Perhaps the familiarity of this verse allows its truth to grow old or watered down for us over time. But if we really think about it… ‘for God SO LOVED the world that he gave his one and only Son’… that truly is incredible. A love so strong that it manifests in the sacrifice of God’s only Son.

Such amazing love surely demands a response. Where do we find ourselves in this picture? Firstly, we are the beneficiaries of eternal life! By God’s grace, we are adopted into this loving family. It’s not just for a moment, until we sin again, or only on days we read the Bible or pray. It’s for all eternity. Jesus’ sacrifice is not just a past event or a quick fix. It is an enduring grace that marks every breath and step. In those moments where we don’t feel worthy of that sacrifice, or we don’t feel like we deserve that inheritance of eternal life, we are reminded by this passage that Jesus did not come to condemn the world, but to save it.

It is from this place of gracious salvation, not condemnation, that we live and love. We do not strive to earn our salvation, or to feel worthy of that gift of eternal life. Rather, in response to such an incredible act of love, we joyfully return that same love to God. We also offer it to the world, hoping many will join us in sharing the gift of eternal life.

Take a moment today to remember the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice. If it has grown old or familiar, ask God for a new revelation of His love. Ask Him to remind you of just how significant it was to send His Son to the cross on our behalf. Ask yourselves if you are working towards your salvation from a place of condemnation, or if you are serving out of a place of gratitude for what God has already done.

Lord, thank You for sending Your only Son to die for us. Thank You for the gift of eternal life. Thank You that while we were powerless to affect our own fate, and were completely undeserving of Your love, You still chose to give Your only Son as a sacrifice to bring us back into right relationship with You. Help us, Lord, to not work toward our salvation, but to serve You out of obedience and gratitude for the gift You have given us. Thank You, Lord, for such an incredible act of love.
Amen.