John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Context: John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:14-15And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God So LovedJohn3:17-18 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
From the lexicon: Love=have preference for. World=inhabitants of the earth. Only begotten=one of a kind. Perish=come to destruction. Everlasting=without end
Pulling it together: Perhaps this is the most well-known verse in the Bible as it should be for it is key to understanding Scripture. God’s love outshines anything man can devise or think of. Romans 5:8 describes God’s love as this: While we were yet sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). John 3:16 states that God’s love for the world, i.e., the people in it that He gave us His Son. However, note He did not give Him as an example or to do good things although Jesus was and did this. But the context of this passage tells that God’s Son came to be lifted up as was the serpent in the wilderness–a clear reference to Jesus’s crucifixion on the Cross. Jesus came to give His life for us–to pay our sin debt so that by believing in Him and receiving Him into our lives we do not have to perish–come to destruction but have life, a reconnection to God, that does not end. This is the message our world needs today. This is what God’s people need to major on. This is the message that overcomes strife, fears, and inequality.
Lord, I pray for grace to never forget Your love for me that was shown at Calvary.