John 3:16 (NRSV) 16 "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.
This is a Scripture that most people have heard. I don’t know if it still happens, but sports fans used to see someone at the game holding up signs reading “John 3:16.” John Mayer has a song called “Belief,” that asks “Is there anyone who ever remembers changing their mind from the paint on a sign? Is there anyone who really recalls ever breaking rank at all for something someone yelled real loud one time?”
Where could one hear this Word from John 3:16? Where could we consider that the world was loveable? I think we are conflicted about that. There is so much in the world that is violent and abusive. God loves the world. I just find that astonishing. God sends the most precious part of himself, a one and only, an un-replaceable Son, into the world. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, beginning as a baby, conceived by an unwed mother who gave birth in a barn. What an interesting way to show love. He became one of us, even one of the least of us.
Who is the world? I am the world. We are the world. God became vulnerable to us. The Almighty chooses to be vulnerable.
I wonder if we could follow that example? Could we lay aside our pride? Could we love in such a sacrificial way? I wonder if that is the only way we can change the world. It goes against our natural inclinations toward self-preservation. I wonder, if we would dare to try, if we would share the DNA of the Only Begotten? I think that is what it means to be children of God.
Ephesians 5:1 (NRSV) Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
Peace!
Michael, I am glad you have resumed your blog, especially for these next 36 days or so. I hope that I am only one of many who will partake of it and contribute to it.
ReplyDeleteI like what you said today, namely that God wants to give all of us peace and wholeness.
I am reminded of when Jesus appeared to the disciples in that locked room after the resurrection. He said very little, but he said (twice): "Peace be unto you." And then he told them to go out and offer forgiveness to the world. It causes me to muse that there's not a lot of forgiveness out there, and if people don't learn about--and experience-- forgiveness from us, where else are they going to find it?
Mark