John 3:16-17
NRSV v. 16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. 17 - 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.
The Message v. 17 - God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.
Many of us have learned to recite John 3:16 either when we were very young or when we were introduced to the Christian faith; but we didn’t learn to also recite verse 17 which is just as important. Too often v. 16 has been used to divide us from others who may not know of Jesus and how knowing him can change a life, especially if it is going in the wrong way. That division is not what God wants of us. God became one of us in Jesus to unite us in faith and trust that we are all God’s children.
The two great commandments of our faith are “love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind” and “love your neighbor as yourself.” While I have not studied other faiths, I do believe that there are many people in this world who Love God and Love others and are therefore following God’s will to bring peace to this world and to bring in the kingdom of God. At the same time it is important that we share in every way possible (and not necessarily with words) how Jesus the Christ is the key to the kingdom of God and offers peace and hope that no other faith can.
During this season of Christmas and on into the new year let us hold onto our faith in the God of Love in Jesus and at the same time be open to understanding where someone else may be on their faith journey. Sadly there have been many ways Jesus has been misunderstood and misinterpreted, perhaps because we are so very human in our incomplete understanding of him and God ourselves. I love the phrase in our communion song which speaks of God: “You are always ever more than we can ever understand” and reminds me that God’s love and grace are greater than I will ever understand, so it is not for me to judge but to simply try to live my life sharing that love and grace in as many ways as I can.
Questions for Reflection:
- What are some ways you choose to share God’s love with others, esp. those who may not be Christian?
- What does it mean to share that grace without words?
Prayer
Amazing and loving God,
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for the great gift of becoming one of us in Jesus your Son, May your Spirit continue to unfold to us how great your grace is for all people and affirm in us the knowledge of your will and your kingdom….In Jesus’ name, Amen
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