“For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge and condemn the world [that is, to initiate the final judgment of the world], but that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes and has decided to trust in Him [as personal Savior and Lord] is not judged [for this one, there is no judgment, no rejection, no condemnation]; but the one who does not believe [and has decided to reject Him as personal Savior and Lord] is judged already [that one has been convicted and sentenced], because he has not believed and trusted in the name of the [One and] only begotten Son of God [the One who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, the One who alone can save him].”

Do you realize that you are GREATLY LOVED and DEEPLY PRIZED by the God of the universe? WOW! A little recap … Jesus cleared the merchants from the temple and performed miracles — and the Jewish leaders challenged him, but the crowd loved him for it. So in comes Nicodemus, a representative of the Pharisees, who sneaks out to meet with Jesus. We don’t know for sure his motivation, but Jesus sees an opportunity. He first tells him he must be born again, born of God’s Spirit. And then he chastised him for being Israel’s teacher but not understanding the simple earthly things he spoke of. How could he understand heavenly things and their implications on earth? Now, the SPIRITUAL BOMBSHELL — Jesus opens up God’s MASSIVE HEART for mankind to Nicodemus. He tells him God’s Love is so great for him that God gave The One and Only, his only Son, The Promised Messiah. The result is eternal life for all who actively believe in His name. This is an incredible gift and it was likely not fully understood at the time. Maybe today many don’t understand this gift. Some may not want to put in the time to fully fathom it. To others, it convicts them of sin, and they shy away (why would they need God’s gift, unless they were guilty of sin)? And it comes with a heavy promise of final judgment: those who actively believe and follow Jesus will have eternal life. Those who reject this gift … they are condemned in their sin. Some might think this is unkind, to condemn people. But it is clear that judgment was pending for sins before Jesus came. Some will choose to forgo salvation, and keep their pride. To continue to act like they have it all together, to dress up the outside while the inside is corrupted with sin. This is not God’s fault, but their personal decision to continue to reject him, despite such a huge personal sacrifice. Jesus Christ is God’s One and Only Begotten Son. And he came to earth to die for me; and for you; and for our neighbors; and for our family; and for those who are dirty, hard to love, prideful, and greedy. He came to love all, and those who seek after him will receive this great gift of love. Drink deeply of its vastness and truth, my friends! It never fails to overwhelm and surprise us in its GREAT GOODNESS! Praise God and his Son, Jesus, for their amazing sacrifice!