“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life", Jesus’ words in John 3:16.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life", Jesus’ words in John 3:16.
Laura was a lady in my church in Kelowna. One day she came home to find that a robber had stolen her jewelry, including a watch given to her by her father. Nine years later a scuba diver was diving around the old ferry dock on the west side of Okanagan Lake when he found a watch wedged in one of the pilings. It was inscribed so he went on a quest to find the owner and sure enough in the end he returned it to Laura (it still worked!). What a picture of salvation! That which was created to be beautiful and to serve a purpose – through sin has disappeared to the muck below the waves. Jesus came down to where we lay and took us to the bright of day once again!
In light of just coming through Easter, think of what this, the greatest verse in the bible, has to tell us about God’s Encounter with us.
-God loved the world – what a stance! We have a window into who God is. God’s nature is not to hate but to love. He is multifaceted for sure (pure, holy holy holy, just, omniscient, omnipresent, etc.), but His stance toward people is love. It’s not that He needs us – He is complete in Himself – but His view toward people is love. How important for us to know this!
-He showed His love through the Son. Isn’t this the great mystery of the universe – that the Son would become man to pay the price of Sin and pave the way of return to the Father!! He said that no one took His life, but He laid it down willingly. This decision had eternal implications for the Son, as He even has a physical body in heaven. In this, God says that our body as well as our soul is important – our faith is holistic.
-Salvation is not earned but received by placing our belief in what He has done through His life, death, and resurrection. Christianity is not an elitist religion – not solely for the bourgeoisie or the intellectual cream, but for every man, woman, boy or girl who places their faith in the Son’s work. It is a personal relationship with Jesus – not a set of rules or a creed but in the dynamic of becoming a disciple of the risen Lord.
-In the end when this life is done, we will be with the One who loved us first – forever. We will experience God’s best in a place He has prepared for us. We will cross from this life and suddenly discover that we are at our true Home!
This is the wonderful story of Easter. Our loving God has Encountered us! Whether you have fuzzy feelings or times of rapture – or not, your decision to believe in the work of Jesus Christ and to follow Him as a disciple has been the most important Encounter you will ever have.
Pastor Leon Throness
Don’t forget our ‘read through the bible book club’ two weeks from now (May 4) on Sunday morning at 9 am in the Coffee Connection. We will enjoy some goodies and take 45 minutes to discuss what we are learning through our reading of the bible in a year.
