Scripture Readings: Deuteronomy 9.23-10.5 and John 3.16-21
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God. (John 3:16-21)
John 3:16 is one of the most, if not the most, recognized verse for Christians in all of the New Testament. We see it on bumper stickers and on signs in the stands of sporting events. Many of us have the verse memorized. And this makes sense, for it is one of the foundations of our faith. It is an amazing sign of love. God gave us something. He sacrificed his Son for us. We neither deserved this act of love nor did we earn it. God gave us this gift of grace free of charge. After all, you cannot earn a gift.
A week removed from Valentine’s Day, we can remember to emulate this kind of self-sacrificial love, not only with our spouse or significant other, but also to all of those we come into contact with. We are called to love the light, to be a city on a hill. As the verses that follow mention, God sent his Son into the world to save it, not to condemn it. As we go out and spread this Good News, we should focus on this love and the grace of our God and remember not to condemn others.
I love the use of light and darkness in these verses. It is natural to not want our mistakes or flaws to be cast into the light. We would rather keep them in the dark, unexposed. But it is only the light of Christ, not the darkness, than can purify our sins and make us whole and one with God. This may be difficult, change always is. But if we focus on where that light may lead us, to a life eternal with a God who is love, then we may pass on and share that light with others. The more light there is, the more praise God receives, and the less power darkness will hold over our lives and our world. So to praise our Father in heaven, let us all light up the darkness together through the saving grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Jonathan Reed, Assistant Director of UrbanLife
