Day 4: John 3 - God Gave
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life”
Today’s Reading Passage: John 3
They met under the shadows of the night. Jesus and a Pharisee named Nicodemus. Jesus’ miracles in the area had caused quite a stir. Being a man of religious law, Nicodemus’ reaction to Jesus should have been one of disapproval - like so many other Pharisees at that time.
Yet Nicodemus was too curious and too intrigued, to not see Jesus for himself. To talk to Jesus for himself.
In the cover of night, they secretly connected to have a conversation that would have been forbidden. Yet Nicodemus took the bold risk to get answers to his questions. To ask about Jesus’ connection to God.
In the core of Jesus’ message to Nicodemus, He explained that God’s LOVE for us (ALL of us) is so big that He gave His ONE AND ONLY Son to die for us. Let that sink in for a moment.
Love can be expressed in a variety of ways, but what is the ultimate way someone can show their deepest devotion to you? Through gifts? Through words? Through a selfless act? For God, it was all of those and more.
God gave the world the gift of His son, Jesus.
God gave the world the gift of eternal life and communion with God through Jesus.
God gave us His Word, the Bible, so we could understand the story of His love through Jesus.
God gave us Jesus… so we could experience His love.
To Nicodemus, Jesus gave a message of hope. A message that we too can cling to as we understand the deep, unconditional love of God.
In the secret of the night, when you have questions about God, where do you go? Do you turn to Him, and His Word, for answers?
Written by: Heather Erickson