Lent: A Journey to Hope in Uncertain TimesSample

Arguably, John 3:16 is the most well-known verse in the Bible. In some parts of the world, it appears on billboards, T-shirts, and signs at sporting events—for good reason. John 3:16 summarizes the hope of the gospel in a sentence. But like many passages in Scripture, there is deeper and richer meaning when we read it in context. And you don’t have to go far from John 3:16 to find an important, hopeful truth. In the next verse (John 3:17), we’re told that Jesus was not sent to judge or condemn. Jesus came to save the world. Jesus came to bring hope to a world in desperate need of it. Jesus came to make things right. And our surrender to Him allows us to be saved and participate in that hope-giving mission to the world.

REFLECT

• How does John 3:17 provide context for the hope expressed in John 3:16?

RESPOND

• Reflect on John 3:16–17. Where do you find hope in these verses? What hope is there for the world?