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John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (KJV/NKJV)
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (ASV/NASB)
“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.” (NIV)
The Christian church has a problem with John 3:16. The message of this Scripture is huge. God loved us. He sent/gave His Son for us. If we believe on Him, and all that includes, we will not perish. That stresses that we are all perishing without Him. And, through Jesus and what He did on the cross, He has promised us eternal or everlasting life if we believe on Him. It is a mystery why every man, woman and child would not desire to receive this free gift of grace. But we understand that most will choose to reject it.
The issue with the “problem” mentioned in the first sentence is not with the message. The problem is with how it is being delivered to the world. Jesus told us that if He was lifted up (John 3:14), He would draw all men unto Himself (John 12:32). He does this.
If we are true disciples, we are trying to lift Him up to the world. One would think that the message of the cross would be enough. But, through well-meaning hearts of evangelism, it is hard to remember the last sporting event where “John 3:16” was not prominently displayed somewhere, along with other signs like “D-Fence.” Seems to kind of diminish the message of Jesus’ sacrifice and gift of grace.
We should never be overly critical of the efforts of those who take our call to evangelize to extremes we might not be willing to match. However, it is entirely possible for extremism in this area to actually detract from the message, if not even push people away from Jesus. That must never happen.
Every person is dying and on their way to an eternal hell without Him. Our job is to give them the message that they really don’t have to go there…and they can have a significantly different, often joyous and ultimately redeemed life here if they will “believe on Him.”
I find myself feeling that I don’t witness enough, if I choose to be honest with myself. The other extreme however can be so overwhelming that others see the delivery but not the message.
I’m convinced that if we ask a non-believer at a football game what the sign “John 3:16” means, not only would they tell us they don’t know but would also share that they don’t care.
Like Nicodemus, only the Holy Spirit’s drawing can bring a soul to the point of asking, “what must I do to inherit eternal life.” Like him, the world responds with non-sensical questions like, “must I be reborn of my mother?” And like Jesus did with Nicodemus, we must tell them, “whoever lives by the truth comes into the light.”
I’m sad that the interview with Nicodemus comes to an abrupt end at John 3:21. I would have much preferred that the story ended with Nicodemus becoming a follower of Jesus.
Jesus loved me long before I ever knew Him, while I was dead in my sins (Eph 2:5). He comes to each of us, at some time in our lives, and by the Spirit calls us to be “born again.” We need to pass that on to the next person who needs that same experience.
May we rest in the completed act that, because we have “believed on Him,” we now have everlasting life. May we spread that word to others, so they too can have everlasting life through Jesus, the only acceptable sacrifice for our sins. And let us do that with love and integrity, living a life that matches our message.
Questions to ponder: What are the methods of sharing the Gospel that the Lord has used in your life? Have you ever met a “Nicodemus” in your life who came to you asking about Jesus? Did you lead them to the Lord? Is any measure to promote the Gospel acceptable?
For many years, this man took on the extreme version of the John 3:16 signs at every event he could find. Unfortunately, “he looked like an idiot, his message was unclear and his life did not match his message.” The Gospel is “precious gold” we have been trusted with. Not sharing is not an option. But, we also should not drive people away. How much is too much?
Other texts/Scriptures to examine on the topic: Read all of John 3:1-20. What do you reckon Nicodemus’ response to Jesus’ message was? Eph 2: 1-10 Share how the Holy Spirit “quickened” you while you were dead in trespasses and sins. John 4, the very next chapter, Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well. How was that encounter different from the one with Nicodemus?
 
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