John 3.16

Perhaps you've seen the signs at football games.  Someone, somewhere once wondered out loud which player the sign was referring to.  I'm glad I don't remember who that was.  But it is always helpful to remember that what is central in my life is non-sensical to others.

For God so loved the world....notice that God's action comes first, before anything else

that God gave the begotten Son.....next time the idea of generous giving for the sake of God's kingdom comes up, remember this phrase.  Clearly God didn't weigh the world's need next to the cost of cableTV.

so that whoever believes in him......notice how open that invitation is.  Anyone.  Everyone.  It is also helpful to replace the word 'believes' with the word 'trusts'.  It gets us out of our heads and into our hearts and lives

shall not perish.....much has been written on this.  It only makes sense in my faith if I don't take it literally and assume that 'perishing' has a different and deeper understanding than 'dying.'

but have eternal life.....many will translate this into 'go to heaven'.  Not a bad translation but a weak one in my opinion.  'To tap into the fullness of life that comes from the divine' would offer to me a richer, deeper and life-altering experience of the presence of God within my life today and every day.

But don't stop there.  Verse 17

For God did not send his son into the world.....Jesus is then an intentional action of the Divine God

to condemn the world......this wasn't a search and kill mission.  Frankly, the world was doing a pretty good job of 'going to hell in a handbasket' all by itself.  It didn't need God's assistance

but in order that............this phrase is going to point us to the purpose of God's action in Jesus. (that is what 'in order that' signifies)

the world might be saved through him.......Jesus comes so we might know life/ healing/ wholeness.  That is what forgiveness brings to people - a healing of whatever the broken past is that is so weighing us down that we cannot fully live into the future.  Forgiveness gives us a 'do over' a new beginning, or as the gospel of John puts it .....so we might be saved.

Luther (brother Martin) called these two verses the 'little gospel' or the good news in a nut shell. 

But just in case you missed it, there will be those who do not believe, who do not trust, who do not look to God for new life/ healing/ wholeness.  The implication here is these folks will not receive these blessings.  So, either we (the historic Christian witness in the 'inspired Word of God') have distorted God's message in Jesus, or there will be some whose lives will be a 'dead end.' 

Not many 21st century folks believe in a fiery hell, but I am not sure what the implications are for those who turn away.  It doesn't sound too good.  I know that I don't want to go there.