Daily Devotion for April 10, 2024

 

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read John 3:16.

Surrounding this beloved verse is the story of the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council. Nicodemus came at night for this conversation with Jesus. Nicodemus was seeking assurance that Jesus had been sent from God. Jesus recognized Nicodemus' need for assurance. We are not told what Nicodemus was thinking after his conversation with Jesus. But, we hear about Nicodemus again in John 7 and in John 19.

In John 7, Nicodemus is a part of the Pharisees, but stands up for Jesus, asking, “’Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?’ The other Pharisees replied, ‘Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.’”

Then in John 19, it is Nicodemus who helped with Jesus' burial and brought the generous gift of seventy-five pounds of myrrh and aloes. Not only did Nicodemus bring the spices, but he must have given witness of his conversation with Jesus, such that it is a gift for us today.

Two people helped me to understand this verse in new ways: Dr. John Polhill, my New Testament professor, said that the more literal Greek translation of this verse begins with “Out of God’s love for the whole world…..” And Rev. Edward Robinson said, “Even though Nicodemus was the only one present when Jesus spoke these words, John 3:16 continues to be one of the most well-known verses from the Bible.”

John 3:17 further expounds on John 3:16, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” Dr. Gail R. O’ Day writes, “God sends the Son into the world in love in order to save the world, not condemn it.” She adds, “The God revealed in Jesus is a God whose love knows no bounds and who asks only that one receive the gift.”

Personal Worship Option:

Re-read John 3:16 and place your name in the place of “the world” and “whoever”. Imagine you are seated across from the table with Jesus, and you are hearing Jesus speak these words into your life for today. Then read it again and let us remember that “Out of God’s love, God loves the whole world, too!