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Jesus the Son Gives Life (Jn. 3:16-21)

'For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God (Jn. 3:16-21),’

God first introduced the thought of sacrificing the ‘only son’ when he asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac (Gen 22).  God gave His son human life in the incarnation and gave humanity spiritual life when He gave his Son up to death.  Jesus surrendered himself to death and in so doing, he showed the depths of the love the Godhead (the Trinity) held for mankind.  Jesus, the light and life, came into the world but the world preferred the darkness and did not recognize him.  The world chose death over life.  How do we respond to such a profound expression of God’s love?  Everyone is called by God to righteousness in Christ but not everyone responds to the call.  Those who do not accept and believe in the name of Jesus will be deprived of the Glory of God.  Those who believe will be justified by the Blood of Christ.  The righteous live in the light, but those who do evil reject Jesus and do not seek truth.  

Almighty God, if we ponder the immense love you must have for us to sacrifice your son so that your unworthy creation might be saved, it is truly amazing grace that you have showered upon us.  Inspire us to love you as you created us to love you and welcome back all who have strayed like the father of the prodigal son did.  This we ask through Christ our Lord.  Amen!

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References:

Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, & Roland E. Murphy, (Eds.). (1990, 1968). The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentis Hall, Inc.

Jose M. Casciaro, Santiago Ausin, Gonzalo Aranda, Claudio Basevi, Vincente Balaguer, Francisco Varo, James Gavigan, Brian McCarthy & Thomas McGovern (Eds.). (2017). The Navarre Bible - New Testament. Dublin 8, Ireland: Four Courts Press.

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