INTRO TO THE GOSPEL OF JOHN, Sarah Barry
SO LOVED
Passage: John 3:16~21  
Key verse: 16
16 For God so loved(A) the world that he gave(B) his one and only Son,(C) that whoever believes(D) in him shall not perish but have eternal life.(E) 17 For God did not send his Son into the world(F) to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.(G) 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned,(H) but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.(I) 19 This is the verdict: Light(J) has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.(K) 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.(L) 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
Cross references
- John 3:16 : Ro 5:8; Eph 2:4; 1Jn 4:9, 10
- John 3:16 : Isa 9:6; Ro 8:32
- John 3:16 : Ge 22:12; Jn 1:18
- John 3:16 : S ver 15
- John 3:16 : ver 36; Jn 6:29, 40; 11:25, 26
- John 3:17 : Jn 6:29, 57; 10:36; 11:42; 17:8, 21; 20:21
- John 3:17 : Isa 53:11; S Mt 1:21; S Lk 2:11; 19:10; Jn 1:29; 12:47; S Ro 11:14; 1Ti 1:15; 2:5, 6; 1Jn 2:2; 3:5
- John 3:18 : Jn 5:24
- John 3:18 : Jn 1:18; 1Jn 4:9
- John 3:19 : S Jn 1:4
- John 3:19 : Ps 52:3; Jn 7:7
- John 3:20 : Eph 5:11, 13
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
We tend to see outward measures or failures and judge accordingly, but God sees our hearts. He sees each person as his beloved child. Jesus saw a woman who committed adultery and forgave her (Jn 8). Jesus even forgave those who condemned and crucified him on the cross (Lk 23:34). Jesus laid down his own life and rose again that we may have eternal life in him. Jesus' love shines the light in any darkness to bring salvation and life.
Prayer: Lord, I was so lost in my sin and feeling of inadequacy, yet you sent Jesus to demonstrate your saving love for me and made me free and whole again.
One Word: You are loved by God as you are