Sent to Save

This weekend in worship we read one of the most well-known verses in all the Bible, John 3:16, which says, “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.” But the verse immediately following it is even more important, in my opinion. John 3:17 says, "Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." 

Why do I think John 3:17 is so vital? Well, it is this verse that gets to the heart of the purpose and mission of God’s sending of the Son. It elaborates on the motivation of love described in John 3:16. Why does God send the Son? In order to save the world. Period. God did not send the Son to condemn. God sent the Son to save. That negative is important, as so many assume that the primary disposition of God toward humanity is one of judgment and that God's character is inherently disapproving or condemning. But not so. For this verse sums up Jesus’ mission in a nutshell and expresses God’s character: God is not condemning but loving. Jesus did not come to judge but to save. If God really did send Jesus to save the world, what in the world do we think could possibly keep God from accomplishing this mission?