John 3:16

John 3:16 is one of the most well known and well-quoted passages of scripture. We see it quoted all the time: at sporting events, at rallies, on ubiquitous cheap, plastic bracelets. The danger, of course, is that whenever something, no matter how incredible or beautiful or wonderful it is, is quoted all the time, we, ironically, stop hearing it. The wonder gets swallowed up by numbing familiarity.

Cue Dallas Willard’s interpretation of original Greek text, The Gospel of John 3:16:

“God’s care for humanity was so great that he sent his unique Son among us, so that those who count on him might not lead a futile and failing existence, but have the undying life of God himself.” *

A futile and failing existence. The undying life of God himself. Those words certainly shake off the dust of familiarity and put me back into a state of wonder and awe.

Brandon

* Willard, Dallas. The Divine Conspiracy. HarperCollins, USA. 1997. p 1