Making It So

Scripture: For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Observation: This most famous verse in the bible is stated differently in this translation, but with a footnote explanation. It states the Greek word houtus translates as "so", but has two meanings. As an adjective, it describes a quantity (e.g., "so much"), but as an adverb it means the manner in which something is done. To put this in a modern context ... "Make it so" means "do it in the way you said" and not "do it much".

In this second interpretation, Jesus is saying "God chooses to love the world by doing the following ... giving his son." It is clearly true this also indicates how much he loves the world - sacrificing his child - but the new context makes even this fact stronger. God still had choices about how to address sin, evil, and human redemption, and he chose the method of handing over his one and only son - himself in fact - to scorn, ridicule, humiliation, pain, and death.

Application: The conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus remains amazing for its implications and meaning. It is overly simple, and hugely complex, at the same time. It is both plain and metaphorical. It is aggressive yet whispered at night. It was said in secret then pronounced worldwide forever. And even the most basic and well known verse that every kid in Sunday School memorizes actually has a second, deeper meaning.

God loves us all so much to seek our redemption. However, he had choices about how to do that, and he chose the option that ultimately cost him the most, while causing his son the greatest hardship and pain, but that provides us with the most basic, simple, easy, and free option for eternal life ... simple faith. No more is required of us, because God chose to take every bit of the hard part upon himself.

Prayer: Lord, as we continue in our Christmas celebration, may we keep sight of the fact that this was all your idea. You didn't need to grant us with options for salvation, and you didn't need to make the option a matter of simple belief. You just love us so. Thank you. Amen.