Bible Love Leading:“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him.” (John 3:16-17)

God’s Love Leading: John 3:16 is probably the most highly quoted scripture of all time. We see it (when we use to go to live sporting events) on poster boards at football games. Athletes write 3:16 under their eyes. It is often a tattoo people put on their bodies. It is easy to think we know the verse but miss the depth of its meaning. 

John 3:16 is telling us how much God loves us. It is not listing off our sins or what we need to pay for or how we can make things right. It is simply stating that God loved us so much He paid the ultimate price for all of our shortcomings. The core of the message is that God sent His only son so that we could live with Him forever. This is true love. The trinity includes God in three parts. There is God the Father, Jesus the son and the Holy Spirit.

The three are together and working in our world at the same time. It is the most phenomenal sci-fi, multidimensional work. A work that we will never fully comprehend this side of Heaven. I understand it this way. Jesus is fully God and fully man. He walked in the world like we do, only He was perfect. He knew he would die for us and yet as a human he felt every part of the pain like we do. God had to turn away in order to allow His son to be brutalized for His people. As a Mom, I can not imagine giving this gift. 

Take a few moments to meditate on this idea: “God loves you so much that he gave up his son to die for  messy, fallen, sinful people." 

My Love Leading: Repeat “God loves me so much!” Three times.  Now reread John 3:16 above and take a few minutes to meditate on God’s great love for you! 

Dear Lord, 

I can’t even fathom your love for me. I can’t believe that you would sacrifice death on a cross for me. Please help me to walk in honor of your love today. May others see and feel your love in me as I go to school, work and home. 

Amen