The Message of John 3:16

 John 3:16 is arguably one of the famous gospel verses in the whole of the Bible.  In just 25 simple but profound words, it captures the essence and core of the gospel.  It is found in the latter part of a discussion between the Lord Jesus Christ and a Jewish Rabbi called Nicodemus late one night in Israel. Nicodemus would later follow the instruction of this verse and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for himself. The verse can be simply broken down into four main clauses:

For God so loved the world

In a world that is marked by hatred, it is wonderful to start this message of good news, this gospel message, with the love of God.  Elsewhere in the scriptures, we are told that “God is love” in His very character, but here it is the extent of God’s love which is being emphasised.  Despite the fact that God sees a world marked by hatred and sin; a world that has turned its back on His righteousness, still the Lord Jesus Christ declared that “God so loved the world”.

That He gave His only begotten Son

This expression highlights the depth of God’s love – He sent the best of heaven, to save the worst of men.  The Son of God was the object of the Father’s love from the eternity, before the creation of the world and yet, for a world of sinners, He sent His only Son.  No angel or mere man could have delivered mankind and so it was essential that the Son come down. The rest of the gospel story is needed to convery the depths of what “He gave” means.  It wasn’t just a question of sending His beloved Son into the world, but He sent Him to the cross of Calvary to die under the judgment of God for sin.  Why did He do this?  “For God so loved the world”!

That whosoever believeth in Him

This phrase now shows the scope of the gospel.  This is no limited invitation.  It’s open to whoever believes on the Lord Jesus Christ and repents of their sin.  No-one is good enough not to need God’s salvation and no-one is too bad to be beyond its reach.  To obtain this free salvation, John 3:16 makes it clear that it is not a question of intellect or knowledge, religious practice or charity – it is about faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone.

Should not perish, but have everlasting life

The close of the verse presents the two choices available for men and women to make – there are only two. The eternal destiny of your soul depends on that choice. Human beings do not cease to exist at the moment of death, their souls live forever in only one of two places.  God’s offer through the gospel is eternal life – a life of immeasurable quality that goes on for all eternity; a life in heaven with our Saviour.  The clear alternative is the torment of hell.  The great message of the gospel is that no-one needs to face that judgement because Christ has died.