Jn 3: 16-21
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved. http://www.usccb.org/bible/approved-translations
God So Loved the World
The signs John 3:16 were everywhere at sporting events in the late 1980’s through 2000, especially at NFL football games. They were held up by an individual wearing a multi colored large wig. I asked a friend today, about John 3:16 – he said “The first thing I recall is a guy at football games.”
How many of us ever picked up a bible to read the words which were in the actual verse we saw on the sign at sporting events? I did. After reading the scripture, I thought more about the person than the verse. I wondered if it was the same person at every game. Why did he do it? I really did not reflect on our Lord much. With time, now I reflect on the verses.
As you read the rest of the scripture after verse 16, our Lord truly is the light. He humbly became a man to save us, but not until He illuminated Himself and His Father to us. He removed our darkness.
I am very happy to be in the light, the brightest light, given to us by Christ. The light of Christ helps me see things more clearly. Without that light, I stumble and fall in the darkness. But with Christ shining the way for me, I feel drawn towards Him and confident in His love. How may I reflect the light in a world that needs more light?
—Bob Thomas is Executive Director and CEO of Rainbows for All God’s Children, Evanston IL
Prayer
Dear Lord, please continue to be a beacon of light for me. Allow me to reflect your light and your love to others, in everything I say and do. Help me spread your word to those who cannot see as they are blinded by the darkness. Risen Jesus — help me to love our world as indeed you do. Amen!
—Bob Thomas is Executive Director and CEO of Rainbows for All God’s Children, Evanston IL