“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 (ESV)
John 3:16 is likely one of the most popular Bible verses and most commonly memorized. So much so, that it can lose its power, and we forget about the verses that follow.
When we think of what God has done for us – sending His only Son – it is right and good for our hearts to be filled with gratitude. It is a mighty miracle that we have the gift of eternal life. We are in the season of Lent, a time when we pause and purposefully reflect on the work mentioned in John 3:16. Thanks be to God that he chose to save the world, instead of condemning His own creation! But what was the reason for this tremendous act of love?
As a society, we no longer take sin seriously. Even as believers we can be tempted to think of ourselves as better than we are and shift the blame onto someone else. We make excuses for our short tempers and careless words.
The 40 days of Lent are set apart to focus on reflection and repentance. Lent takes our gratitude for what is mentioned in John 3:16-17 one step further, from gratitude to giving. I used to view Lent only through the lens of giving up something. But the power of the preparation for Easter falls short if our focus is on lack rather than worship. Sacrificing earthly pleasures momentarily is an act of worship. Taking our sins seriously is an act of worship. Pondering the suffering of Christ is an act of worship. Coupling these things with prayer and Quiet Time can develop greater intimacy in our relationship with God.
“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. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.” John 3:18-20
As believers, we are not condemned. But Lent is an opportunity to pause and purposefully confess our sins. To tell God about our tempers exactly as they are, and how badly we used our tongue; to humbly acknowledge that Jesus dying on the cross was for the sin of the entire world – including my sin.
“But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” John 3:21
Easter began as the light broke through the horizon! The power of the resurrection that we anticipate celebrating is sweeter and more powerful when we take time to remember why Jesus sacrificed Himself in our place.
