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Bethel Baptist Church, Pleasant Grove

John 3:16 is probably the most familiar verse recognized in the western world. Many of us have had the experience of watching a sporting event on TV and seeing the familiar sign being held up by some fan in the crowd with the words “John 3:16.” But many do not know its message or meaning. In 2009 when Tim Tebow wore it on the blackout under his eyes in the national championship game, more than 90 million people Googled the reference.

In these 25 words of Jesus much is at stake. They are as eternally relevant today as they were when Jesus spoke them. With these gracious words Jesus reminds us all that God loves the world. It’s important for us to remember that the world is more than Earth and the people who inhabit it. The world in the Scriptures represents everything and everyone who opposes God. Basically that is all of us at one time or another. But God loves us anyway. He loves you passionately and personally. And in those 25 words of Jesus we hear how much God loves us. He loves us so much He gave His Son, Jesus. In the words of one musician, that’s “a reckless, raging river” of love. Francis Chan called this “Crazy Love.” This kind of love expects a response.

Jesus said the response desired is to believe in Him. For many of us believing is a head thing like believing in scientific facts or historical information. But believing is also a heart thing. It is an act of trust that resides in the will, the entirety of one’s being. It is the willingness to trust Jesus’ declaration with all that we are, and this trust is then fleshed out in our daily living. It is expressed with a new quality of life. This everlasting life Jesus gives determines our lifestyle choices, affects our relationships and dominates every facet of our being. The New Testament is filled with stories of those who believed in Jesus and followed Him into this everlasting life. I remember the day I responded too. As I listened to a sermon on John 3:16, I put my trust in Jesus and He did just as He promised. He gave me the eternal life He said He would and nothing has been the same since.