God So Loved The World

Have you ever pondered the sacrificial love represented in this familiar scripture? I have, and I don’t think I get it.

My small group is doing a study of the different names given to Jesus. This week’s topic was Son of God.

Several folks approached the study from a parent’s perspective and marveled that God was willing to sacrifice His own Son for our salvation. Their meditations reminded me of a quote from Tony Dungy, former NFL coach. Speaking at a Super Bowl breakfast in 2006 just a few weeks after his son James committed suicide, Dungy offered a powerful view into a parent’s love.

[Dungy] said he has received dozens of letters from people who heard him speak at his son’s funeral or at a Colts news conference on the peace and assurance he has in his son’s salvation and eternal destination. Dungy told of two people having received the gift of sight from his son’s donated corneas and of the youth to whom he has talked who are wrestling with similar problems as his son.

“If God had talked to me before James’ death and said his death would have helped all these people, it would have saved them and healed their sins, but I would have to take your son, I would have said no, I can’t do that.

“But God had the same choice 2,000 years ago with His Son, Jesus Christ, and it paved the way for you and me to have eternal life. That’s the benefit I got, that’s the benefit James got and that’s the benefit you can get if you accept Jesus into your heart today as your Savior.”

As imperfect humans, parental love may be as close as we get to complete, unconditional love. Most parents would quickly give their own lives to save their child, but like Dungy they cannot imagine offering their child’s life in place of another. But, as Dungy said, that’s exactly what God did. That was His plan. That’s how much He loves us.

I confess—I really don’t get it. I know the story, I understand the words. I’ve read a variety of theological analyses. I comprehend the process—in my head.

But at the heart level, I don’t understand that degree of agape. I don’t know how a Father could love me so much that He’d send His only Son to die, in spite of my continued personal failure, simply so I could spend eternity in His presence.

I can talk and speak and write about that kind of love, but I don’t really get it.

John 3:16 reminds me to stop making it so complicated. God loves me so completely that He allowed His Son to suffer a gruesome death in my place. As a result, I get to be reconciled to Him and live forever in love.

If you’ve messed up, you can claim a new beginning. If you’re lost in darkness, you can step out into light. Whatever mistakes you’ve made, whatever tragedy you’ve encountered—God wiped it all clean at the awesome price of His own precious Son.

I don’t have to understand it. I only have to accept it.

What are your thoughts as you allow the reality of John 3:16 to really sink in to your soul?