Merry Christmas everyone!
This week, we will be celebrating Christmas with a blog post all about the most famous Scripture in the entire Bible; John 3:16:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Nicodemus, a teacher of the law, has approached Jesus in the middle of the night. Some argue that it was because he didn’t want to be caught by other Jewish leaders. Others say it was simply the only time he had. Regardless, it was a night to be remembered.
Nicodemus has heard all of his life about the rules and regulations in order to get into heaven; he taught these things too. In order to get into heaven, he may have recited, we must keep the entire law perfectly. But Jesus knocks all of that off its hinges and points Nicodemus in another direction. This teacher had no idea what Jesus was trying to say.
When Jesus makes this powerful statement, He points to His own fulfillment of the law. What Jesus was trying to say is that
“The world did not need another teacher with new information; it needed a Savior.” (John MacArthur)
According to this statement, God has given us four gifts:
1) Love
For God so LOVED the world
This is the same kind of love that God expects us to imitate in 1 Corinthians 13. The love that God has for us is patient, kind, and long-suffering. It was the same kind of love that sent Christ down to earth as a baby. It was the same kind of love that sent Christ to Calvary in our place. Romans 5:8 says:
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
God’s whole motive is, and was, love.
2) Light and life
The hymnist was correct in declaring, “Light and life to all He brings…” That was what Christ came to do. He came to be the light (John 8:12). He came to bring life. He came to show us how to imitate His light.
Just as the wise men followed the light of the star to find Jesus, so should we follow the light of Jesus to find everlasting life. When we follow the light, it is certain that others may follow too.
The previous three gifts could not have been possible without the last, but certainly not least, greatest gift of all; God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. He didn’t come as a king. He didn’t come with riches or splendor. He came as a humble little baby.
But why?
Because of our sins. Because of our darkness, disobedience, and death to eternal separation from God. Until we realize the need for a Savior, we will never understand the gravity of our sin. We will never understand what took place not only at the cross, but at the scene of a manger. But, by believing, what do we get out of it? Everlasting life.
In the Old Testament, God loves His own people, Israel. But in the New Testament, He extends His love to the world. Have you experienced the love of God? Have you been born again to eternal life? If not, why not make this Christmas special and receive the greatest gift you could ever receive?
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