Sunday March 10, 2024 | Fourth Sunday in Lent | John 3:1-21 -21
God did not send the Son…to condemn the world…But…that the world might be saved. (v.17)
In the 1966 television show Mission Impossible the secret agent Dan Briggs is always presented with a mission. An automated voice says, “Your mission, Dan/Jim, should you choose/decide to accept it, ..” Agent Briggs would accept the assignment no matter how impossible, and would endure death-defying experiences to get the job done. When God sent his Son Jesus Christ in the world, it too was like Mission Impossible. The Devil, sin, and death had taken root in the world. But this was a mission Jesus could not refuse. John 3:14, “For Go so loved the world he sent his only begotten Son.”
Yet contrary to Agent Briggs, this would not be a coming of fire, bullets, and missile to defeat the power of sin, death, and the devil, but a mission of sacrifice. The sacrifice of the life of the Son of God, to take on our sin at the Cross of Calvary and die in order that we may live. This is a rescue mission where God sent his very self in the person of Jesus Christ the Son, to save all those who place their faith in him so that they may have eternal life and be saved.
This is why verse 17 in our gospel this Sunday is the greatest news we can hear. God sent his Son Jesus Christ in order that we are not condemned, but that we might be saved! Even though the Law of God says we should die in our sins, God is above his Holy Law, and sent his Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins, and the sins of the world in order to give us eternal life and make everything right. By faith in the Son of God, we are already saved and not condemned! – Pastoral Intern Adam
Whatever troubles, broken relationships, disappointments and more you may have today, we can take comfort and share the Good News that we are loved in our brokenness, and God will make everything right in the Kingdom to come.
God of life, thank you for sending your Son to save us, rather than condemning us. Amen.
Prayer Concern: People who think God only condemns them
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