Tuesday 23 June 2026
- Bible Book:
- John
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. (v. 16)
Background
The verse above (v. 16) is very familiar to some and the words may trip off the tongue. But they deserve deep and thoughtful reflection. Immediately before this, John has referred back to the story of Moses (v. 14). Like the bronze serpent high on its pole, made by Moses in the desert to save the Israelites from God’s punishment (Numbers 21:4-9), so Jesus by dying on the cross is lifted up to save all humanity.
Here John roots Jesus’ death in the love of God for the world, the kosmos, the ordered creation. This love, a core theme of John's Gospel, is introduced here and runs throughout the book. It is expressed as a gift – God's gift of his son Jesus, who is one with God the Father (John 10:30, 14:9-10). The dynamic of love between the two overflows to inundate the whole world with a generosity that protects and saves.
Not to believe in Jesus is to perish, to lose touch with 'the Word' – the source of life at the heart of creation (John 1:3). This negativity is imaged as choosing darkness over light so that our wrongdoing remains hidden.
To believe in Jesus is to gain eternal life. John’s word for ‘believe’ is pisteuein, but ‘believe’ is only one part of its meaning. It also carries connotations of ‘have faith/trust in’ and ‘commit oneself to’ – and all three meanings are swirling round John’s text. We are invited to join those who believe in Jesus, to entrust ourselves to the love of God and so find God’s love ready and waiting for us. Uniquely among the gospel writers, John believes that eternal life is ready for us now, not just after we die. If we choose to come to the light who is Christ (John 1:5), we find that our life is already held in God and we are no longer trapped in darkness. Belief, faith, trust and commitment are expressed in human life through action – above all through responding to Jesus’ invitations "Come and see!" (John 1:39) and "Follow me!" (John 1:43).
To Ponder:
- Pilate asks Jesus "What is truth?" (John 18:38). John suggests that truth is not a concept but a person, Jesus Christ, and ways of acting that imitate him. How might you ‘do what is true’ (v. 21) in your daily routines?
- What does this passage add to your understanding of why Jesus died?
- How could the church in your area share the good news that God loves the whole world so much that he gave us Jesus, his only son?
Prayer
God of love, life and light, we praise you for the gift of your son Jesus, who embodies your loving attention towards this world which you have made. Help us to believe in him, trust him, commit ourselves to him. Guide us from the darkness towards his light, that we may live in his truth and follow him all our days. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Dr Caroline Wickens
The Revd Dr Caroline Wickens is the Superintendent of the West Hertfordshire & Borders Methodist Circuit and Deputy Chair of the Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Essex Methodist District.