Readings for today: John 3-5
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:16-17
It’s one of the most famous and beloved verses in all of Scripture. John 3:16. We see it proclaimed at sporting events and graduation ceremonies. Many Christians consider it their life verse and cling to the truth revealed therein. It speaks of the vastness of God’s love. The immensity of it all. God loves the world. Not just a part of the world. Not just a particular tribe in the world. Not just the beautiful people of the world or the rich or the powerful. God loves everyone. And because God loves everyone, God sends His Son. The living demonstration of God’s love in the flesh. He wants to leave no doubt. Nothing to chance. He wants the world to know He’s willing sacrifice that which is most precious to Him in order to save them from sin.
Nicodemus knew this love. A leader among his people. A member of the Pharisee party. He spent his life devoted to Torah. Devoted to the law of God. He was faithful. His heart was true. But there was something missing. Something he couldn’t quite put his finger on. So he comes to see Jesus. By night, of course, so no one will see him. He’s been impressed by the miracles Jesus has performed. They’ve convinced him Jesus must have come from God. And Jesus is so tender towards him. He loves him. He teaches him. Tells him how to respond in faith that he might be saved.
John the Baptist knew this love. A man fiercely dedicated to the Lord. Elijah reborn. The last great Old Testament prophet of Israel. He came preaching fire and judgment on the people of Israel. He came to prepare the way for the Messiah. He launched a ministry of spiritual renewal marked by a ritual cleansing which involved immersion (baptism) in the Jordan. But when the ministry of Jesus began to eclipse his own, he was happy. He understood. Jesus is the bridegroom and John is merely the “best man.” He rejoices at the day when the bridegroom comes for His own.
The woman of Samaria knew this love. Coming to the well in the middle of the day, she clearly is trying to avoid the other women in her village. Perhaps it’s her “loose” reputation. The number of men she had been with that makes her ashamed. Furthermore, she is a Samaritan. Someone the Jews considered unclean because of their mixed race heritage. No respectable rabbi would ever be caught dead talking to such a person! And yet Jesus did. Jesus made time for her. Jesus loved her. Jesus engaged her and she went away marveling at all that she heard. She shared the good news with her village. Invited them to come out to hear. She wanted them to experience the same love she had experienced.
Over and over again, the Scriptures proclaim the love of God through Jesus Christ. We see it in all his interactions. We see it in the miracles he performs. He heals the official’s son. He heals the paralytic at Bethesda. He preaches God’s love to Jews and Samaritans alike. None feel condemned because God did not send His Son into the world to condemn but to save.
Can you imagine if the world experienced the love of God through Jesus’ people? Can you imagine if Jesus’ people would engage the world like Jesus did? Imagine us sharing God’s love with both powerful and powerless. Rich and poor. Black and white and brown. Imagine both abled and disabled experiencing compassion and mercy and healing. Imagine those who are in desperate need finding hope. Imagine Jesus’ people leading a movement in our communities of love towards the outcast and the marginalized and those who feel lost and lonely. We don’t have to imagine it. It does actually happen. So many churches in so many communities model this love well. But there’s always more that can be done. More love that can be shared. More grace that can be given. And it is the charge God gives to each of us. To follow in Jesus’ footsteps and be known by the love God first sent into the world in His Son.
Readings for tomorrow: Matthew 8:1-14, 9:1-17, 12:1-21, Mark 1:40-45, Mark 2:1-3:21, Luke 5:12-39, 6:1-19