There is a sign that you sometimes see being held up in large gatherings. I’m sure you’ve seen this sign at major sporting events and professional wrestling venues. You might even spot it at a public community event, a graduation, or even a protest gathering. I see it frequently at the corner of Colington Road and the bypass, being held up by a very enthusiastic member of “Team Jesus.” This particular sign stands in opposition to the signs that groups like the Westboro Baptist “Church” hold up. You remember that group: they used their 1st Amendment right to free speech to burn flags, show up to soldiers’ funerals to spread the hate message “Thank God for Dead Soldiers,” and display other violent homophobic and antisemitic rhetoric. What is the sign that stands in opposition to this hate? It is a sign about the ultimate love we will ever know. John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in himself shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Let’s take a look at the full passage today.

John 3: 16-17 (Contemporary English Version)

¹⁶ God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die. ¹⁷ God did not send his Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent him to save them!

Jesus said this in response to Nicodemus, a teacher and ruler of the Jews. He was a Pharisee and part of the Sanhedrin who was impressed by Jesus’ signs, i.e. miraculous acts, and sought Jesus out at night to learn more. It is notable that this exchange happened in the darkness. My guess is that Nicodemus feared the judgment and condemnation of his fellow Pharisees and couldn’t seek Jesus out in the light of day. But he acknowledged that Jesus was from God based on his signs. Jesus immediately responded that no one would see the kingdom of God unless they are “born again.” That one sentence shattered centuries of Jewish expectation. Jews had always believed that being born of Abraham’s lineage, their birthright would grant them automatic entrance to the Kingdom of God. But Jesus now taught that the Law, their heritage, their old birth, and their racial identification would not be a free pass into Eternity. Instead, Jesus continued, only those born anew by water and the spirit would see God.

Then he went on to shock Nicodemus further by asserting that in fact, God loved the whole world (not just Israel) enough to send his only begotten Son for their salvation. Everyone is offered the hope, rescue, and healing of Christ’s salvation equally. Salvation, not condemnation, is what Jesus brings. Hope and refuge are his gifts, offered to all. The only condemnation the world faces is the self-condemnation of those who refuse to believe and prefer to walk in the darkness.

If only those who hold up hate signs would just read the rest of the Scripture. If only those who use religion to justify hate and condemn others would just read the rest of the Scripture!

What’s your sign? Is it a sign of open acceptance and love? Is it a sign of hope? Is it a sign that you read the rest of the Scripture?

May we be a people of John 3:17 in everything we do, say, paint onto cardboard, and post.

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