Wednesday in the Second Week of Easter, April 19, 2023

John 3, 16-21

God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

“God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”  After John has recorded the discussion between Jesus and the Pharisee Nicodemus, he speaks on his own account (John 3, 16-21).  This seems like a continuation of his prologue (John 1, 1-18), in which he speaks of Jesus as the Word and as the Light who came into the world.  Now he speaks of the Lord as the Love that came into the world.  It is the immeasurable love of the Father in the Person of his only-begotten Son.  He comes into the world not as a spectator but as the Redeemer of the human race.  He offers salvation to all, and all who believe in him — those who know him, love him, believe in him, and obey his commandments — will be saved.  Faith means obedience: “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14, 15).  Faith means performing good works: “Faith without works is dead” (James 2, 20).  And faith is to be practiced openly.  It is not some private pious exercise: “For if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised him up from the dead, you shall be saved” (Romans 10, 9).  That is, we not only say the words and perform the deeds, but these come from our hearts where we nourish our faith in the Lord Jesus.

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”  Truly, the Lord does not condemn anyone, but recognizes the condemnation that so many people bring upon themselves through their doing evil, harming both themselves and others.  The harm they cause others will eventually heal, but the harm they cause themselves, rendering their souls incapable of heaven, only heals through repentance and the confession of sin.  Chief among these evils the wicked commit is the rejection of the Lord Jesus: “Whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.”  This is the rejection of the love of God, without which there is no happiness.

“And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil.”  The Lord Jesus, the Son of God, is “the Light” that came into the world to show the love of God to the world.  But very many people preferred to live outside of his love because they did not want to give up their evil lives, to repent, and to live in charity with others and with God.  So many human beings prefer their self-absorption and pursuing their selfish pleasures to living honestly and eschewing sensual pleasure for spiritual joy.  “For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed.”  That is, so that they may not have to take responsibility for their ugly snd destructive works and lives.  

“But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.”  To “live the truth” means to live the Faith, obeying the Lord’s commandments and awaiting his return.  Those who live the Faith “come to the light” — are unafraid of the scrutiny of their deeds by others — so that their deeds may attest to their faith and draw others to God.

“God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”  These are words to fill our hearts with joy.  We see in them God’s will for our salvation.  And we can read these words in a very personal way too, for they are meant for each of us: “God so loved me that he gave his only-begotten Som, so that if I believe in him I might not perish but might have eternal life.”