Wednesday 14 April 2010

Background

In a few weeks time our television screens will be filled withfootball matches as the World Cup takes place in South Africa. Atvarious times in previous tournaments a goal scorer has celebratedtheir achievement by removing their team shirt to reveal an undershirt emblazoned with "John 3:16" - a reference to the verse aboveand an acknowledgement of their own Christian faith.

Of course, the person in the crowd or watching on the screen needsalready to be aware of the text of the verse for this action to beeffective in evangelism - but it is a reminder that this verse isseen by many as an iconic summary of the message of the Christianfaith. However, like many iconic summaries, this verse raisesquestions as well as offering answers.

We might for instance want to consider the phrase "believes in him"and ponder what exactly that means. Is it sufficient to accept themoral teaching of the charismatic rabbi from Galilee - or is morethan this required? This verse follows on from the use of an OldTestament image which points ahead to the moment of Jesus' death on the Cross while thefollowing verses with their focus on the 'battle' between light anddarkness also seem to point to a more decisive and divisive momentof decision. Perhaps "believing in him" does actually involve ourresponse to that act of crucifixion.

The tension between light and darkness is a recurring theme inJohn's Gospel (eg John1:4-9; John 8:12) and is clearly linked to the choicebetween perishing and receiving eternal life in verse 16. Thequestion of how we choose between light and darkness is one whichis before us all every day.

However the key issue in this significant verse comes not at itsend but at its beginning, where we are told that the saving work ofJesus originates in God who "so loved the world that he gave..." Asthe Methodist New Testament scholar C K Barrett says in hiscommentary on this verse, "The mission of the Son was theconsequence of the Father's love; hence also the revelation ofit."

To Ponder

Have you ever had to choose between light anddarkness? What happened?

Reflect on the God who "so loved the world".Remember that you are included in that initiative of love - andthank God in your prayers.