Daily Scripture: John 3:14 Just as Moshe lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 so that everyone who trusts in him may have eternal life.
16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only and unique Son, so that everyone who trusts in him may have eternal life, instead of being utterly destroyed. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but rather so that through him, the world might be saved. 18 Those who trust in him are not judged; those who do not trust have been judged already, in that they have not trusted in the one who is God’s only and unique Son.
19 “Now this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, but people loved the darkness rather than the light. Why? Because their actions were wicked. 20 For everyone who does evil things hates the light and avoids it, so that his actions won’t be exposed. 21 But everyone who does what is true comes to the light, so that all may see that his actions are accomplished through God.”
Reflection Questions:
- Pastor Hamilton wrote, “More than any other world religion, Christianity teaches, preaches, veritably shouts forgiveness. Yes, some of our preachers dwell too long on guilt….That is unfortunate, for a Christianity obsessed with guilt is no Christianity. Christianity is a faith whose central focus is not guilt, but grace, redemption, healing, forgiveness, and mercy” (Hamilton, Forgiveness, p. 17). John said that, though too many people think Christianity is about condemnation, Jesus did not come to judge the world. When we internalize that truth, it frees us to let go of our condemning attitude toward ourselves and others.
- How do you understand the meaning of “God so loved the world... God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world”? In what ways have you been able to make God’s forgiveness, not an abstract “church” idea, but a transforming, freeing personal reality in your life? What is one specific relationship in which you will begin or deepen the process of moving more fully into the freedom of a forgiven, forgiving life in the weeks ahead?
Today’s Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you knew the brokenness, shallowness and ugliness of our world much more clearly than I do. Yet you came not to judge, but to save, to offer me grace. Help me grow daily in my ability to do the same. Amen.
Family Activity:
Sometimes people get angry with one another and it is important for us to ask forgiveness when we sin against someone. As a family, place a handful of coins in a container and go to a nearby fountain. Ask each person to take one or more coins. Explain that this is a time to tell God “I’m sorry” for any sins committed. Ask each person to individually pray aloud or silently, “Lord, I am sorry I…” and finish confessing his or her sins to God. Then toss the coins in the water. Invite family members to dip their hands in the fountain for a quick washing. Finish your time together by praying, “Thank you, God, for the promise of your forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Amen.” Make sure to also ask forgiveness of the ones who have been hurt by your words or actions.
Insights from Todd Maberry
Todd Maberry is an Associate Pastor at The Church of the Resurrection’s Downtown campus.
One of the greatest myths our society wants you to believe is that you are an individual. In our consumeristic culture, individuality is the result of the particular choices you make. It is ironic to think that people believe themselves to be unique individuals because of you can have your burger your way, or by personalizing the apps on your smartphone. An individualistic understanding of life fails to recognize the interdependence we have with all other human beings and indeed all things in God’s creation. A danger exists when we apply the individualistic lens to the gospel.
John 3:16 is perhaps the most popular Scripture in the Bible. You can find it literally everywhere in our culture, including the backdrop of most sporting events. [I often thought it would be hilarious to bring a sign to a big sporting event simply saying ‘Proverbs 21:19,’ though I doubt my wife would find the humor in it.] Most of my life, I have read this verse through the individualistic lens–I thought it was about believing in Jesus so I would not perish but have eternal life. I failed to notice that it starts by saying that God loves the world. God loves the world. All of it. Not just individual human beings, but the entire cosmos. This means that God loves the moon, sun, stars, plants, animals, oceans, bugs–and even you and me.
In my individualistic excitement about John 3:16 being my key to the secret of eternal life, I failed for years to notice John 3:17. In John 3:17, we learn that God did not send Jesus to condemn the world, but to save the whole world through Jesus. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, God is seeking to reconcile and forgive the whole world. And yes, the work of Christ matters to us on an individual level, but our salvation is a small part of this much larger thing that God is doing in the world.
Have you ever thought about the fact that God intends to reconcile and forgive the whole world? What does it mean for your life that God forgives, takes away the sins, and seeks to reconcile and forgive the world? How will you live your life differently?
Todd Maberry is an Associate Pastor at The Church of the Resurrection’s Downtown campus.
One of the greatest myths our society wants you to believe is that you are an individual. In our consumeristic culture, individuality is the result of the particular choices you make. It is ironic to think that people believe themselves to be unique individuals because of you can have your burger your way, or by personalizing the apps on your smartphone. An individualistic understanding of life fails to recognize the interdependence we have with all other human beings and indeed all things in God’s creation. A danger exists when we apply the individualistic lens to the gospel.
John 3:16 is perhaps the most popular Scripture in the Bible. You can find it literally everywhere in our culture, including the backdrop of most sporting events. [I often thought it would be hilarious to bring a sign to a big sporting event simply saying ‘Proverbs 21:19,’ though I doubt my wife would find the humor in it.] Most of my life, I have read this verse through the individualistic lens–I thought it was about believing in Jesus so I would not perish but have eternal life. I failed to notice that it starts by saying that God loves the world. God loves the world. All of it. Not just individual human beings, but the entire cosmos. This means that God loves the moon, sun, stars, plants, animals, oceans, bugs–and even you and me.
In my individualistic excitement about John 3:16 being my key to the secret of eternal life, I failed for years to notice John 3:17. In John 3:17, we learn that God did not send Jesus to condemn the world, but to save the whole world through Jesus. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, God is seeking to reconcile and forgive the whole world. And yes, the work of Christ matters to us on an individual level, but our salvation is a small part of this much larger thing that God is doing in the world.
Have you ever thought about the fact that God intends to reconcile and forgive the whole world? What does it mean for your life that God forgives, takes away the sins, and seeks to reconcile and forgive the world? How will you live your life differently?
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