GOD’S LOVE AND SALVATION
2 Chronicles 36:14–16, 19–23; Psalm 137; Ephesians 2:4–10; John 3:14–21
Today is the fourth Sunday of Lent, called “Laetare” Sunday. This Sunday is marked by “a little relaxation from the penitential character of the Lenten season.” Today, the Holy Mother Church exhorts us to be joyful. She calls to be joyful while emphasizing through the gospel of John 3:14–21 the themes of salvation and belief, sacrificial love, light and darkness, and judgment.
Salvation and belief: Jesus says, “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that whoever believes in him will be saved” (John 3:14–15). You may be a notorious sinner like Saul and the tax collector. Jesus says whoever believes. As soon as the thief on the cross believed, he got his salvation. Thus, He says in John 6:37, “The one who comes to me I will certainly not cast out.” Go to Jesus and be saved! This offer is still available, but it’s unfortunate that salvation is almost not being preached in churches today.
Again, the verses “John 3:14–15” refer to what happened to the Israelite in the wilderness (Numb. 21:4–9). They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and God punished them with poisonous serpents. Impatience can cause us a lot of pain. Impatience can cause wise people to do foolish things. Impatience and superficiality are the psychic diseases of this age. Many are paying daily for their impatience.
Moreso, the verses “John 3:14–15″ refer to the cross. In John 8:28, Jesus says, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on my own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught me.” In John 12:32, he says, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” Lastly, in John 12:34, the crowd asked Jesus, How can you say “The Son of Man must be lifted up”? Beloved, Jesus must be lifted up for us to be lifted up (Heb 9:22). God gave his only begotten Son as a ransom for salvation. No other love is more beautiful than this. Jesus himself says no greater love has a man than to lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).
God’s Love for Humanity: John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This part of the Bible is the most quoted among Christians. It summarizes the whole scripture. This verse underscores the depth of God’s love and his desire for reconciliation with humanity. Despite the desecration of the priest and the people in the first reading and their concomitant punishment in exile, God still extends his love to them. Beloved, God’s love is sacrificial, not artificial, true, not fake, redemptive, unconditional, and empowering (God’s love empowers and enables us to love others). God’s love for us is evident in His mercies, as demonstrated in the second reading (Ephesians 2:4–10). The letter of St. Paul to the Romans puts it this way: “God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom5:8). In his generous mercy, God has opened the door to salvation for all.
Light and Darkness: Jesus contrasts light and darkness, highlighting the difference between believers and those who reject Him. This is a necessary separation. Light has nothing to do with darkness. John 3:19 says, “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” Many desire to live in the dark because it favors them. If things work well, many evil deeds will be exposed. Hence, John 3:20 says, “Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.” Beloved, once again, the call is still on: reject darkness and accept Christ the light.
Judgment and Consequences:The gospel emphasizes divine judgment and its consequences, particularly in John 3:18. The Catholic Church teaches that individuals will face divine judgment after death based on their faith, actions, and soul state. There are two types of judgment: final judgment, where Jesus Christ will return to judge the living and dead, and individual judgment, where God judges each person’s soul and determines their eternal fate. Those who die in a state of grace are believed to go to heaven, while those who die in a state of mortal sin face the possibility of damnation.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
