John 3:16 says, “God so loved the world that…” As we go through Lent, it is important for us to keep centering ourselves in that as the reason for God’s activity. It is because God loves the world that Christ comes to share our lot and guide us in teaching. It is because God loves the world that God keeps calling us to follow Jesus and to share good news. It is because God loves the world that God’s Spirit continues to breathe life into us for each day. Love includes, but is more than, an emotion here. It includes motion — God’s love is active in reaching out for creative well-being.
Through the ages, Christians have often had ambiguous views of “the world.” We haven’t always known whether to embrace “the world” or to be distinct from it. What does it mean that God loves the world so much that God sends Jesus so that “the world” may be saved? Notice that God does not just love individuals, but the world (cosmos is the Greek word)! I think it means God seeks creative good-will for our whole world.
I cherish God’s love for the human world, which so needs love now — Gaza, Israel, encampments, schools, Ukraine, to name just a few. I also cherish an expansive view of the world to proclaim that God loves coral reefs, soils, birds and redwoods. God’s love unites us in seeking life abundant for it all.
Friends, this passage in John’s gospel sustains me over and over again. I hope your heart resonates with good news through this, too.
Peace,
Hans
Three Holy Days
In our tradition, we make space on Maundy Thursday to remember central parts of our faith story. We hear about the...
