“GAVE HIS ONLY SON!”

John 3:16-18                                 (ESV)

“16 "For GOD so loved the world, that HE “GAVE HIS ONLY SON”, that whoever believes in HIM should not perish but have eternal life.

17 For GOD did not send his SON into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through HIM.

18 Whoever believes in HIM is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the NAME of the only SON of GOD.”

“Nobody knows the pain of rejection like JESUS”. 

This sign was seen recently in front of a church, but it should be emblazoned on each of our minds as we live our lives.  

JESUS left the splendor around the Throne of GOD in Heaven to come to earth as a poor, humble servant child!   Isaiah 53:3 (written around 700 B.C,) says the CHRIST would be “despised and rejected” by man, and I think JESUS qualified based on the week before and during HIS crucifixion.  The ONE WHO spoke “this world” into existence (Colossians 1:15-17) was mocked and rejected by those thinking they knew best?!?!  It wasn’t Pontius Pilate that had JESUS crucified, it was the HIS own people, the JEWS, who cried “Crucify HIM”!  

But are we any better than the JEWS, or Pontius Pilate?  When we observe JESUS living through someone’s life, do we mock and reject them?  Or worse, do we “hide HIM under a bushel”?  Why is it that we are afraid or ashamed to boldly speak HIS Name in public, like HE is a piranha?  Don’t we know the CREATOR of the universes wants to abide in us, and we are shy about being seen in public with HIM?  

GOD “GAVE HIS ONLY SON” to provide a sacrifice for me to abide with HIM Glory!  JESUS said in Mark 8:38 “For whoever is ashamed of ME and of MY words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the SON of MAN also be ashamed when HE comes in the glory of his FATHER with the holy angels."  HIS Name will proudly be shared by these lips as GOD “GAVE HIS ONLY SON” for me!