Scripture Reference: John 3:1-18

The Incarnation’s Purpose (John 3:16-18)

Some interpreters feel that Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus actually ended with John 3:15. They hold that John 3:16-21 is solely the apostle’s commentary. However, in light of all other Scripture, I see the whole as Jesus’ words. It is because of people’s lost condition that God became Jesus of Nazareth.

“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 the best known and most often quoted verse in the Bible. Yet seldom will you ever hear John 3:16 used as a sermon text, because when we quote it, we have said it all. It is the “little Gospel” or the gospel consummate. The best commentary on it is found in Philippians 2:6-11.

This most magnificent of verses accomplishes the following:

• It presents the greatest Lover: “God.”
• It expresses the greatest degree of love: “so loved.”
• It includes the greatest object of love: “the world.”
• It shows the greatest expression of love: “He gave.”
• It presents the greatest gift of love: “His only begotten Son.”
• It depicts the greatest response to love: “whoever believes in Him.”
• It declares the greatest deliverance of love: “should not perish.”
• It demonstrates the greatest result of love: “but have everlasting life.”

In the Greek text, this verse opens with the word for “so.” It shows the kind of love God has for a lost world. 1 Peter 1:18-19 says, “Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold . . . but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” If you could have been redeemed by silver and gold, God could have given mountains of such and have had mountains of it left over. But He had to give all of something that He had. He has only one Son. So He gave Him to provide redemption from your sins.

But to me the principal word in this verse is “whoever.” Literally it means, “every single one of the whole, the ones believing in him.” I am so thankful for “whoever.” For “whoever” means me personally!

“Have,” in this context, literally, reads “may have.” This suggests the possibility that one may not come to have age-abiding or eternal life. The fact that Jesus provided this life does not mean that everyone automatically has it. It is available, but as stated earlier, only to the ones who believe in Jesus. But “whoever,” (every single one) means that Christ would have paid the price of redemption, even if you or I had been the only lost sinners in the world.

To Be Continued

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.