Our Lenten Message Series continues .In this Sunday's Gospel, we get to hear the most famous verse in all of the Bible: John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him might not perish but have eternal life.” In this chapter, John recounts a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin who had sympathy for Jesus and his message of salvation through repentance. Nicodemus came out to meet Jesus after reports of the miracles Jesus had performed, hoping to gain some insight into His teachings.
The history of salvation, from the fall of Adam and Eve until the final
judgment, revolves around the coming of Jesus Christ, the Savior, the Son of
God. Why did He come? Because the Father sent Him. Why did the Father send Him?
Because He “loved the world so much.” He simply couldn’t bear to see us perish
in our sins; He longed to share with us His everlasting life. God cares. And
Jesus Christ is the definitive proof that He cares. He cares so much that He is
willing to sacrifice His only Son to atone for the sins that have separated man
from God, the source of all good things. We need look no further to find the
very core of the gospel: “God loved the world so much that He gave His only
Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not be lost but may have eternal
life.” No hidden agenda, no selfish undertones – pure generosity. This is the
heart of God, of the Lord who longs for our friendship. You might be
saying….alright, I know and understand
and accept that….however…where is the insight?
So here is the insight? The cross. You see all of this was
possible due to the generosity of the Father, but also because of the choice of
the Son to accept the Cross. This instrument became not a tool of torture, but
a pulpit of love. When we take on the Crosses of our life, in that same spirit,
and accept His love, then we too are able to embrace Him and His love in our
life. Are you willing to accept the Cross? What are your waiting for?