A 316 Sentence Meditation

Armodoxy for Today: Meditation on a Sentence

John 3:16, which is has a unique notoriety among different generations and people of different backgrounds, is often referred to as the Gospel in brief. The marking, which colors t-shirts and baseball caps, and can be found on business cards, and fast food containers is shorthand, to inform people that a believer is close by. “For God so loved the world,” begins the verse that ends with the glorious explanation, “that He gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”

To claim this passage as “The Gospel in brief,” says more about us, people, than it does about the words and expression. We are all too quick to find shortcuts around anything that might take an investment of time and resources. Why read the book if I can skim the outline? Why skim the outline, if I can watch the movie? Why watch the movie if I can read the review? And we finally come down to; can I consolidate it in a quick sentence?

Still, John 3:16 does have a certain popularity that is not avoidable. So, during Lent, when we are investing more time into our spiritual wellness, let’s see what it says.

John 3:16 is simple enough. God loves so much that He gives us His Son, Jesus Christ. The challenge comes from the second part, which involves believing in His Son. What does that mean? Is belief merely acknowledgement that Jesus existed, or even more, exists? Or is there something more demanded of us?

God so loved us, He came to us. The invitation is for us to return to Him, to Love Him so much, to give our lives to Him. Through prayer we connect with God, through actions our prayers are materialized and through commitment and sacrifice we find the way to not perish and have eternal life.

We pray, O Lord Jesus Christ, I believe in You. May those words come alive in me by the measure of my actions to love, care and assist my neighbor. Amen.