The Wonder of It All

"One Year Bible" New Testament Passage
John 3:1-21

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. John 3:16 (NKJV)

This short passage contains one of the most widely quoted Scripture verses in the entire Bible. John 3:16 is a precious and valuable summarization of the Good News. God sent His Son Jesus for the saving of all those who would believe!

This familiar truth is like a finely cut diamond. We would do well to not rush on to other passages thinking that we have exhausted the greatness in our over-familiarity. Let's look more closely at a bit of the context.
We find in adjoining verses beautiful facets of gospel truth.

1. SALVATION IS OF GOD. Vs. 13 says that our "believing and receiving" did not begin by our desire for God or our efforts to reach Him. It started by HIS INITIATIVE when He came down to us - He descended. So YOU WERE CHOSEN BY GOD! What a wonderful truth. He first personally came after YOU!

2. JESUS CAME ON A RESCUE MISSION. Some may wonder how a loving God could condemn men to eternal hell. Vs. 17 says that Jesus does not condemn, but rather man is ALREADY under condemnation. God does not create our guiltiness. Instead, He offers a means of escape - of deliverance in Christ.

3. THE ESSENCE OF FAITH IS "SEEING". Vss. 14-15 describes a miracle of forgiveness and deliverance that happened underM Moses' leadership in the Old Testament. During a plague of disease, Moses fashioned a golden serpent as a symbol of the coming Messiah and placed it on a pole. All who LOOKED AT this golden serpent were healed. The essence of faith is not conduct or works or even ideologies. The essence of faith is SEEING. Just look on Jesus.

One of the most wonderful and blessed aspects of Bible truth s that it is inexhaustible. We may read and re-read this great passage and each time gain greater insight into the wonder of salvation in Christ.