Devotion: For God So Loved The World
Please review the scripture from this weekend: John 3:1-17
This past week my family and I traveled to the Black Hills of South Dakota. South Dakota is one of my favorite states to visit. There is so much of God’s beauty to take in. Just as Pastor Michelle referenced seeing John 3:16 signs at sporting events, I noticed several signs that referenced John 3:16 on the highway as well as some that simply and truthfully stated, “Jesus Saves” and “Jesus is King”. I often love seeing those signs, especially when I am out in the middle of the interstate as it helps me to center my mind on God among His beautiful creation.
Our passage this week from John 3 is a perfect example of God’s beauty through an encounter with a Jewish Priest as it culminates in verses 16 and 17:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten 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.”
Many scholars (both Christian and non-Christian) have concluded that John 3:16 is the MOST quoted and most famous verse in the Bible. For many of us these are not merely words–this is the spoken Word as referenced in John 1 to which we look upon for everlasting life. Earlier in the John 3 passage when Nicodemus approached Jesus in the “night”, we are reminded that we can call upon Jesus in any time of need, and he offers His presence and healing, if we are willing to accept it. Nicodemus’ struggle to hear the call of God in his presence reflects our struggle to hear the call of God at times, but His presence beckons us to look unto Him as our Savior, King, and Priest accepting His free gift of eternal life.
A few take-aways stand out in this passage. The first: no matter whether in isolation, fear, or temptation, we can always call upon Jesus. Jesus is the only way to be saved and to be healed. Second, the theologian Jim Wallis has said “while our faith is always a personal matter, it’s never a private matter”. Jesus’ love given to the world is manifested through the loving words and actions that we model. If we love Jesus and we look to our murdered Savior on the cross to save us, then we are called to model and demonstrate that same love that Jesus showed us to His broken and hurting world.
Gracious and loving Jesus, we thank You that You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life! Thank you for coming to this broken and hurtful world and offering us eternal life through Your grace. Lord Jesus, by Your grace, may the reality and truth of this passage in John 3 be lived out in and through the congregation and the leadership of our church. Call us and convict us to be Your church, the church that teaches the truth found in the saving grace of You alone.
Amen.
Written by Matt Clay
Matt and his wife Joanna have two young daughters, Emery and Madisen. The Clay’s have been members of the Sheridan community since 2014.
Matt’s spiritual growth has been influenced by the teaching of the late Dallas Willard, which led Matt to pursue an M.A. in Spiritual Formation from Spring Arbor University.
Matt works full-time in the financial industry and believes that God has called him to be a steward of His grace and presence in the marketplace.