Gospel of John Student Devotional预览

I would say that most people know the verse John 3:16:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

In short, this verse reveals the incredible love God has for everyone, showing how much He cares by sending His Son for us. While I’ve always understood this at a basic level—knowing that God loves me and everyone else—there is so much more to it, and that deeper meaning can be different for each person. Taking a closer look at this verse can be both exciting and a bit confusing. The depth of God’s love brings up many thoughts and emotions, and to fully grasp this message, it helps to understand the context surrounding this verse in the Gospel of John.

In the earlier chapters, Jesus performs several miraculous acts, and by the end of chapter 2, He takes a strong stand by clearing out the temple area in a dramatic display of righteous anger. This event sets the tone for chapter 3, where a man named Nicodemus comes to speak with Jesus. Nicodemus is curious and somewhat confused about Jesus' actions. He believes in Jesus but wants to understand why He does what He does. He also mentions that some people who aren't familiar with God might struggle to accept Jesus and the works He is performing.

In John 3:8, Jesus says:

"The wind blows wherever it wants. You can hear it, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it goes. This is how it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Here, Jesus is explaining how the Holy Spirit works by comparing it to the wind. Just as the wind changes direction unpredictably and is invisible, the Holy Spirit influences people's lives in ways we may not always see or fully understand. During this conversation, Nicodemus asks how the Holy Spirit can be present in everyone. Jesus responds by questioning how Nicodemus, a teacher of Israel, does not understand these fundamental truths. He points out a contradiction: how can someone teach the Scriptures without fully grasping their meaning? Jesus emphasizes that He and His disciples have witnessed God's work firsthand, making it surprising that Nicodemus struggles to believe in their experiences and the messages Jesus shares.

Jesus goes on to explain that while no one truly knows the mysteries of heaven except for Him and God—since He came from heaven—there are signs and wonders on earth that should help people believe. He then refers to a story from the book of Numbers, where Moses lifted a bronze snake in the wilderness. In that story, anyone who looked at the snake was saved. Jesus compares this to His own mission, saying that just as Moses lifted the snake, the Son of Man (referring to Himself) must also be lifted up so that people may look to Him for salvation.

In verse 17, John explains that God did not send His Son to judge or punish people, but rather to show love and teach them about God. Jesus ultimately died on the cross to forgive everyone's sins. To be saved, all you need to do is believe in Him. If you choose not to, you are missing out on this forgiveness. John also describes God as the light of the world, yet many people choose to ignore His promises and instead embrace darkness. Some individuals turn away from God because they feel ashamed of their past actions. However, those who believe in Jesus are brought into the light and are seen for who they truly are.

Will you choose Jesus?