John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish… I. How was JESUS GIVEN BY THE FATHER? 1. By His designation and appointment unto death (Acts 2:23; Isaiah 42:1). 2. In parting with Him and setting Him at some distance from Himself for a time (John 16:28; Psalm 22:1, 2). 3. In delivering Him into the hands of justice to be punished (Romans 8:32). 4. In the application of Him with all the purchases of His blood, and settling all this upon us as an inheritance (John 6:32, 33; John 4:10). II. HOW THIS GIFT WAS THE HIGHEST, FULLEST MANIFESTATION OF THE LOVE OF GOD THAT EVER THE WORLD SAW. This will be evidenced if you consider — 1. How near and dear Christ was to the Father (Colossians 1:13). 2. To what He gave Him (Luke 22:22). 3. That in giving Christ He gave the richest jewel in His cabinet. 4. On whom the gift was bestowed. (1) Not on angels; not on human friends, but (2) upon enemies (Romans 5:8-10). 5. The freeness of the gift (1 John 4:19).Corollaries. 1. The exceeding preciousness of souls (1 Peter 1:18; Matthew 16:26). 2. Those for whom God gave His own Son may warrantably expect any other mercy from Him (Romans 8:32; 1 Corinthians 3:20, 21). (1) No other mercy can be so dear to God as Jesus is. (2) As Jesus was nearer the heart of God than all, so Jesus is in Himself much more excellent than all of them (Romans 9:5). (3) There is no other mercy you want but you are entitled to it by the gift of Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20; 1 Timothy 6:17). (4) If God has given you Christ when enemies it is not imaginable He should deny you an inferior mercy now you are reconciled (Romans 5:8-10). 3. If the greatest love hath been manifested in the gift of Christ, then the greatest evil and wickedness is manifested in rejecting Him (Hebrews 2:2-4). (J. Flavel.) Parallel Verses KJV: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. |
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