Wednesday Words
April 7, 2021
Pr. Paul Cannon
We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us â
and we ought to lay down our lives for one another.
1 John 3:16
Happy Easter everyone!
Look at this verse above (go ahead, Iâll give you a second). You might have noticed on second glance, that it isnât the verse you think of first, when you see âJohn 3:16â written in print. That verse is of course from the Gospel of John and begins, âFor God so loved this world âŠâ Itâs probably the most well-known verse in all of scripture.
The verse in the header is FIRST John 3:16. Itâs one of the Epistles (or letters), located way in the back of New Testament. Itâs always struck me as serendipity, that both John 3:16 verses reference Jesusâ sacrificial love. Of course, I treasure both, but if I had to pick one I love the most, itâs the verse from 1 John, âWe know love by this âŠâ
The next few weeks of this Easter Season, weâll be dwelling in the book of 1 John (not the Gospel), and weâll take our theme from this verse, We know love by this âŠ
I love this verse because it not only conveys the same sense of Godâs love, but then it turns around, looks us in the eye, and says to us, therefor YOU âought to lay down (your) lives for one another.â
Oh! I knew God loved me, but I didnât know I was supposed to do something about it!
If the cross proves anything, itâs Godâs love for the world. Thatâs how we come to know God. Thatâs how Godâs love is revealed.
But in the resurrection, the responsibility of that love is placed on our shoulders. Weâre meant to carry that same love for one another.
We hope you join us the next few weeks in this Easter Season as we dive into the book of 1 John. Weâll continue this conversation about Godâs love, and how we are called to bring that love to the world.