And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
“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. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
John 3: 14-18
Do You Know You Are Loved?
The bible verse about “God so loved the world…” has become a bit cliche in how often it is used, but that doesn’t change the fact that it is true. What we must understand is that we can replace “world” with “you” or “me.”
That’s right, God Loves you. He Loved you when Jesus was a baby, He loved you when Jesus was on the cross, and He certainly loves you today.
Have you done bad things? Have you sinned? Have you fallen short of perfection? Yes, you have, so have I. Yet, Jesus, God’s only Son, still left heaven to live as a man, perfectly, only to be punished for crimes He never committed. He took on that punishment because it was yours. Because He loved you.
You were sentenced to death row and an innocent man stood and volunteered to take your place. That’s how simple it is, and yet so complicated because that innocent man knew and saw your every crime before you were even born. He knew what the cost would be, and He volunteered anyway. All because He loved you and He loves you still.
It is. hard to fathom such a love, because it is selfless, rather than the taking grasping selfish love the world teaches us today. Jesus had perfection, He had community, and love, and peace, and joy all without us. He left it so that we may experience the depth and reality of a relationship with God ourselves.
You now not only have salvation, which is enough!, but grace, forgiveness, and an open invitation to God’s throne room. The ability to converse with the King Himself.
All because of Jesus’ selfless love and sacrifice. That should be humbling, awe-inspiring but all too often it is something we as Christians take for granted.
Open your eyes to the wonder of God’s gift: A new life and a new relationship.
Cherish this gift that you, and I, are so undeserving of, and share it so that others may know such love.
Prayer
Father God, thank you for your gift of salvation. Thank you for that though I am unworthy you have given me a seat at your table, the ability to come to you with all my woes and burdens. That you gave your Son in my place on the cross, a symbol of death and punishment. Instead, Jesus defeated death and I am now able to live eternally with you as my Father. Lord, open my eyes to see the opportunities I have to share this good news with others, especially now in a time where bad news bombards us where ever we go. Thank You, Lord Jesus. I pray this in Your Holy Name. Amen
