I remember well the first time somebody, other than my parents, told me they loved me. I can recall everything about that moment, and it was simply amazing. In these verses, which are probably the most famous in the entire Bible, we hear the wonderful news that God loves us, and that his love is so total that he gladly sent his own Son into the world so that we could have eternal life.

There is great emphasis upon God’s love for the people of Israel in the Old Testament, but now we see that the doors are flung open to the whole world. Everyone is welcome. The last thing God wants is for anyone to perish, so he invites everyone to believe in him and find eternal life.

In the Old Testament, we meet Abraham, who was willing to sacrifice his precious son, Isaac, in obedience to God’s command (Genesis 22). He bound his son, laying him on the altar on top of the wood, and took hold of the knife to kill him. In that terrifying moment, an angel told Abraham not to lay a hand on his son but instead to offer a ram which was caught in a thicket nearby. God’s willingness to offer his son, Jesus, is a clear reminder of Abraham’s obedience long ago, but there is a significant difference because Jesus actually died. God made the complete sacrifice.

Whether you are in a secure, loving relationship or not, you need to know that God loves you completely and always will. He has proved that by sending his precious Son into the world, and we can be sure that we can rely on his love for time and eternity.

What does it mean to you personally to know how much God loves you?

Lord God, I thank you for loving me and opening the door to eternal life

Amen