The Verse: His One and Only Son
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Opinions. Everyone has them.
Some people may agree with others' opinions, and some may not. Opinions can make or break friendships. Opinions may be right, or opinions may be wrong. One thing is certain, we all have opinions.
Everyone has an opinion of who Jesus is. Oswald Chambers said, "The dearest friend on earth is a mere shadow compared to Jesus Christ." George Whitfield said, "Jesus was God and man in one person, that God and man might be happy together again."
Days before His death, Jesus posed an interesting question to His disciples. He asked them, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" (Matthew 16:13) After hearing their responses, Jesus then asked them, "But what about you? Who do you say I am?" (Matthew 16:15)
The disciples answered Jesus's first question with different answers, which tells us that people were divided on who Jesus was at that time. Some, including His family members, did not think Jesus was the Messiah. Some expected Jesus to be a military conqueror that would save them from the oppression of the Romans.
The world may still be divided on who Jesus is. Some people believe Jesus is not the only way to God (John 14:6) but one of the ways to God. Some believe Jesus is not God's Son but just a prophet.
The truth is, as Christians, we do not have to be divided on who Jesus is. The verse behind this eight-week devotional series tells us that Jesus is God's only Son. The Bible is full of stories that tell us Jesus is who He says He is.
There should be no division or confusion about who Jesus is. The Jesus who we are studying in John 3:16 is alive today. This Sunday, we will celebrate His resurrection. The same Jesus that is alive today is the same Jesus who saves you.
Jesus is God's Son; we have every reason to rejoice in that. We rejoice because those who believe have eternal life.
Sources: NIV Application Bible, Bible Ref, Christian Quotes