Once when I was teaching eighth grade Sunday School, I assigned the class the task of memorizing a single passage of scripture of their own choice. Allen raised his hand and said in a sing-song voice, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whosoever believed in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Allen had memorized it previously, and didn’t want to have to learn another passage. I told him that it was an excellent choice and if he wanted to use it, he could. Allen only repeated it to the class to let them know that he didn’t have to learn another passage. The rest of the class found other passages, and the next week they had memorized them. Allen was a little bit crestfallen when I told him that he didn’t need to repeat his verse, as he had already demonstrated that he knew it.

I remember feeling regret that this passage, spoken by Jesus himself, had become so common, that the children didn’t stop to think of the meaning of the words, or even the context. It was just a famous verse that teachers and sometimes parents, believed that children should know. I, too, think that everyone should “know” it. That is, everyone should know Jesus and who he is; and this passage tells as clearly as any other, the identity of Jesus.

Jesus was talking to Nicodemus with the words of John 3:16. Nicodemus was a believer in God , but had only heard of Jesus and particularly of his miracles. Those had so impressed him that he had come after dark to talk to the one who could perform such things, and and who did them in the name of Nicodemus’ God.

It is not only Jesus’ identity that he reveals in this remarkable verse, but also his Father’s sacrifice and its origin of love in the Father. Jesus, knowing better than anyone else, tells us (and Nicodemus) openly the truth of his own and his Father’s love for the “world.” It is a statement so powerfully true, that after Jesus’ death, Nicodemus accompanied Joseph of Arimathea. risking rejection from the Temple leaders to ask Pilot for Jesus’ body, and anointed and wrapped it and carried it to a tomb.

The power of John 3:16 is undeniable. It is a clear message that has resonated for more than two thousand years, and changed the lives of many more than Nicodemus. It was a prophetic message that is still being fulfilled today.

Love in Him,

Prue