God Gave His Only Begotten Son

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son
John 3:16-21

Nicodemus may have been very surprised to hear that he, a devout Jew, needed to be born again. He must also have been puzzled that the Son of Man, the Messiah from God, must be lifted up to die in order to save sinners.

He is now to learn about the amazing love of God.

In his first letter, the Apostle John makes a statement about the nature of God: 'God is love'. Here in his gospel, he makes a statement about the love of God in action – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”.

This is often the very first Bible verse that we memorize after we are saved.

God did not spare His beloved Son, but punished Him for our sins. What wonderful love!

The Jews were expecting the Messiah to come to punish all of their enemies. But Jesus did not come to condemn the world, but to bring salvation!

God's love was not restricted to the Jews. He loved the world and gave His Son to save sinners from all nations. What a glorious message we have to declare! Whoever believes and trusts in the Lord Jesus, whether he is a Jew or a Gentile, has everlasting life.

Verse 18 contains a very solemn statement: ‘He who does not believe is condemned already’.

Why do so many refuse to trust in Christ? It is because they love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil and they hate the light.

Men and women refuse to believe in Christ because they love their sin!

If we have not come to the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness, if we have not repented of our sin, if we have not trusted in Him to save us, may these solemn words drive us to call upon the Savior.

He who does not believe is condemned already. Why choose condemnation when in Christ we can enjoy everlasting life? Let us come to the Lord Jesus and rejoice in His gift of Salvation.

The Sacrificial Lamb

Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:19-34)

The ministry of John the Baptist was so powerful that it attracted huge crowds.

Many people wondered if he was the Messiah (the Christ).

John was very careful to point out to the priests and Levites sent by the Pharisees that he was not the Christ.

John also denied that he was Elijah or the coming Prophet. The Jews were expecting Elijah to return to earth. The 'Prophet' is another term for the Messiah.

John was a great preacher and a very humble man who pointed men away from himself to Christ.

He was the herald who called on the people to prepare for the coming of Christ among them.

The Lord Jesus came the next day to be baptized and John pointed Him out as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Why did Jesus submit to baptism if it is for sinners who have repented? Jesus identified Himself with sinful mankind by taking human flesh and this is symbolized in His baptism. His baptism also represented the baptism of terrible suffering which He was to suffer in His death as our sacrificial Lamb.

John also testified that Jesus is the Son of God who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. This title of Jesus proves His equality with God the Father. The Jewish leadership recognized His claim to be equal with God and they hated Him for it.

The almighty Son of God died as a sacrificial Lamb to save sinners. That was John's message. It is ours too! The message does not change! Sinful men and women still need to be saved and the only Savior is the risen Lord Jesus Christ!