Thursday, March 17

John 3:16-21

When I saw that John 3:16-21 was among the scriptures suggested for March 17, I jumped at the opportunity to write about it.  Great day!  Here was a bit of scripture that I (and the rest of the congregation) could quote from memory.  And not only could I quote it…I could sing it, too.  Whenever I hear the passage, “God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son,” in my heart I hear the much-loved anthem from John Stainer’s cantata, The Crucifixion.  The words speak to me through music.          
               Don’t these verses say it all?  These are the words of our faith – He so loved us that He gave us his Son.  And according to the Word, if we just believe, we will not die, but have everlasting life.  That’s because God didn’t send his Son to judge the world, but to be its savior.  That sounds like a sure salvation to me.  If I believe, I’ll be saved…no questions asked.
               But wait!  The scriptures go on to say that if we don’t believe, we’ve already been judged.  Even though light has come into the world,  those who don’t believe prefer the darkness…their deeds are evil.  Is that me?
               These verses continue with the message that if we do come to believe and do what is true, we will come to the light and that light will show the world that we obey God. 
               And isn’t that good news?  I believe it is!

submitted by Barbara Mauntler