November 30, 2004

THE GOD-SENT SON

"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved" (John 3:17, NKJV).

The portrait of Jesus as the God-sent Son is a prominent picture that is found more than twenty times in John's Gospel. It's first mentioned here in John 3:17, where Christ is said to have been sent into the world not to condemn the world, but to save it.

In his portrayal of Christ as the Son sent by God, John is not describing a theological relationship between the One sent and the One who sends Him, but rather the purpose of the sending. The sending of Jesus implies neither superiority in the Sender nor inferiority in the One sent. Repeatedly Jesus has referred to His inseparable relationship to the One who sent Him. He asserts, "I must work the works of Him who sent me" (John 9:4, NKJV). "He who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from him I tell the world" (John 8:26, NIV); "I am not alone. I stand with the Father who sent me" (verse 16, NIV). "My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me" (John 4:34, NIV).

In connection with the very first reference to the God-sent Son, Jesus clearly stated that He was sent into the world to save the world (see John 3:17). Those who are condemned cannot blame God for their condemnation; their condemnation is the inevitable result of a deliberate rejection of Christ's offer of salvation. The God-sent Son is in the business of redemption, not condemnation. Salvation is fully and freely available to all who believe and receive Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. The God-sent Son came "that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16, NIV).

My Prayer Today: Lord, what a wonderful godsend Jesus is to sinners. May I today fully appreciate this inestimable gift. Amen.