“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16, TLV
A Father’s Love. The Gospel in a nutshell. The verse most Sunday School children memorize. The verse that says so much about so many themes it would take a lifetime to unpack it. Yet, how often do we — especially in the middle of preparations for celebrating our Savior’s sacrificial death and resurrection?
You know, ponder this verse — in between finding new ways to use matzah or searching for the perfect hats for services? Meditate on it? What are some of those themes?
Here are just seven to get us going:
- The measure of God’s love.
- If there is a Son, then there is a Father, why was it important for Jesus to mention this?
- Why didn’t Jesus say, “I love you so much, I came down to earth?”
- The significance of Yeshua saying, “God loved the whole world,” not just Israel and the Jewish people.
- What does it mean to perish? Does God want anyone to perish? Who will perish?
- Is believing really all it takes?
- If we are redeemed children of God, why is Jesus God’s one and only Son?
But within all these themes is one word: Love.
Rather than my usual extrapolations and thoughts, how about yours? What does John 3:16 mean to you?
Shabbat shalom and Chag Semeach!
