The Meaning of John 3:16

 John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  Probably the best-known verse in the Bible.  Do you know what it means?  Let’s look at in the context in which Jesus Christ said it. 

John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”

3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”   Nicodemus started by admitting he believed Jesus Christ was sent by God. The Lord apparently knew his real concern was about his own destiny.  Would he make it into heaven, the Kingdom of God. 

Jesus told him you have to be born anew (lit.) or you will never enter the Kingdom of God.  In V.4 Nicodemus asked how can one be born when he is old?   And Jesus replied “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.”

Physical birth comes first.  But is not enough to get you into the Eternal Kingdom of God.  Nicodemus’ next question in V. 9 “How can these things be?”  Jesus reminded Nicodemus he had already concluded that Jesus had come from God.  Therefore, what Jesus said about the Kingdom of God was something He knew was true.  (READ John 3:9-13) The Lord then drew an analogy from something that happened during Israel’s wandering in the wilderness before entering the promised land. 

You can read it in Number 21:4-9.  Nicodemus knew the story so Jesus only had to cover the key points.  John 3:14 & 15 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.  Poisonous snakes were in the camp because of the people’s rebellious and accusatory complaints about God and Moses.  That got their attention and they repented, asked God to remove the snakes.  Instead of removing the snakes God gave them a lesson in faith.  He told them for this time only the cure for snake bite was to look at a snake Moses had hung on a pole.  Believe God and look at the snake and you lived.  Don’t look, you died. Look and live was the point.  In John 3:16 says believe and live forever.  Believe who? Jesus Christ.

Nicodemus needed everlasting life to enter the Kingdom of God.  His options?  Believe in Jesus Christ for everlasting life or don’t.  Believe and live, don’t believe Him about everlasting life and die.  John 3:16 extends that offer to everyone.  You want to live forever in Heaven with God, believe in Jesus Christ for everlasting life.  Life that never ends in a kingdom that lasts forever.    Jesus Christ is God incarnate.  He is infinite in all His attributes and therefore His death in our place has infinite value.  He is the one who can give everlasting life and has said He will give it to everyone who will take His word for it.