Mission Devotional Day 14

God loved the world so much

Mission Devotional Day 14

READ: John 3:16

God loved the world so much! David Bosch writes, “Mission has its origins in the fatherly heart of God. He is the fountain of sending love. This is the deepest source of mission. It is not possible to penetrate any deeper: there is mission because God loves [people].” Forty-six times in the Gospel of John alone Jesus says that the Father has sent him, often adding that it is for the sake of the salvation of the world.

For many of us, John 3:16 was the first portion of Scripture that we memorized. Martin Luther called this verse “the gospel in miniature.” It shows us love in action.

This well-known verse comes during an encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus. He was curious about Jesus, but as a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish Council, he was afraid to visit Jesus except under cover of night. I can imagine that he headed home after this meeting both excited and fearful. What was this strange talk about being born from above? (a better translation than born again). How Jesus’ words must have sent Nicodemus’ heart racing – “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.”

In John 7, Nicodemus appears in the story again, arguing with the other leaders that those who would judge Jesus should first hear him out. Then in Chapter 19, he is assisting with Jesus’ burial.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

In his conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus affirms that God gave his Son in order that those who believe in him might have everlasting life. Are we simply saved from perishing, or do you think that there is more to salvation? Are we saved for something, or just from something?

Bosch states that there is mission because God loves people. How does this connect with the fall that we read about in Genesis 3?

PRAYER

Thank you, God, for the gift of your Son in whom we find eternal life and abundant life. Fill us with your love that it might overflow in our lives and bring new life to others. Amen.