So

"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." (John 3:16)

These words from gospel writer John's account of Jesus' life are probably the best known, most cherished--and possibly the most disagreed upon words in the Bible. Did God actually believe in human sacrifice like the pre-Judaic religions did? Would God require that of his followers? Would he actually give up his own and only son to provide the human? Is this the same God whom Jesus spoke so lovingly of? Is this real love?

I don't suspect we're going to come to agreement on this today--this Good Friday.

But what can we agree on?

Let's just take the first part of that verse..."For God so loved the world that he gave..." Just that much is so much! God so loved the world and everything and everyone in it (not just the ones who believe in him) that God freely gave (didn't barter or bargain, didn't charge, didn't even charge interest on the account)--freely gave the world his own and only son. What an incredibly loving gift!

I don't think any of us has the one, right answer when it comes to understanding God. I do believe, however, that when we stop long enough to ponder just this much of John 3:16 we can all agree on one thing: We are so loved.

And that is so good to know and remember on this Good Friday.