“Love Without End, Amen” (John 3:16)
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NASB). Country singer George Strait sings a song entitled, “Love without End, Amen.” It tells the story of a young boy coming home from school after having a fight and expecting punishment from his dad. Fully expecting the wrath of his father, the son waited, expecting the worst. However, the father said, “Let me tell you a secret about a father’s love … Daddies don’t just love their children every now and then … it’s a love without end. Amen.” The young lad grew up and passed this secret on to his children. One day he dreamed that he died and went to heaven. He was concerned, as he waited to go in, because he realized there must be some mistake for if they knew half the things he’s done they would never let him in. It was then that he heard his father’s words again, “Let me tell you a secret about a father’s love … Daddies don’t just love their children every now and then … it’s a love without end. Amen.” Isn’t it comforting to know that we have a Father like this? It is no secret, concerning our Father’s love: God doesn’t just love His children every now and then; indeed, it is a “love without end, Amen.”—Bill Thrasher
A Baby with a Message (John 3:16)
A six-year-old tiptoed softly up to the little low crib where one of this world’s very latest hopes was lying throned and swathed in the coverlets that love had sewn for its coming. Big brother’s face was gravely intent, his eyes bright and shining. He stooped far over and gazed down at that wrinkled, peevish bit of a face. “Now, baby brother,” he whispered into one tiny red ear half hid by the clustering black hair, “tell me about God before you forget.” The brother thought that the tiny baby had a message from God. There was one Baby who did. He was born in Bethlehem. But His existence did not begin at the time of His physical birth. He had a message for us from God the Father. It is found in the old familiar words of John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
How Much Does He Love Me?
John 3:16 For years I had preached that God loved us so much that He gave His only Son. I preached about the constant call of the cross, the sacrificial work and the pain and suffering the Son endured on the cross. However, about four years ago my oldest son, who bears my name, who looks like me, walks like me, and even talks like me, had an accident. He climbed upon the kitchen counter to get a glass and while doing so dropped it and proceeded to cut his foot open. Needless to say, he was rushed to the doctor. The doctor said, “Before I can help him, I need to give him a local anesthetic.” As he gave him the injection I turned away. I could not bear to watch, but I could hear the screams he yelled out. I cringed with each scream, for it was as if I was receiving the injection. It was at that point that I was able to better understand the Father’s love for me. He allowed His Son to hurt so I could be helped.—B. James Noel, Sr.
Practical Help (John 3:16)
A traveler passing by and seeing a man fallen into a deep pit began to wonder aloud how he fell in. The poor man in his utter misery shouted, “If you are a friend, stop asking how I fell in but help me out!” The Lord Jesus Christ wants to impart His life to us. We may in our foolishness want a full explanation from Him as to why He permitted us to fall in the first place, but John 3:16 tells us that the most important and urgent thing is our salvation from sin and death.
Saved by Grace (John 3:16)
God, then, is more earnest for me to be saved than I am to be saved! “He so loved the world that He gave His Son” (see John 3:16). He loved not saints, not penitents, not the religious, not those who love Him; but “the world,” secular men, profane men, hardened rebels, hopeless wanderers and sinners! He gave not a mere promise, not an angel to teach us, not a world to ransom us, but His Son—His only begotten! So much did God love the world, sinners, me! I believe this. I must believe it; I believe on Him who says it. How can I, then, do otherwise than rejoice?—Martin Luther
True Riches (John 3:16)
A tax assessor came one day to a poor minister of the gospel to determine the amount of taxes he would have to pay. “What do you possess?” he questioned. “Oh, I am very wealthy,” replied the minister. “List your possessions, please,” the assessor instructed. The man of God replied, “First, I have everlasting life—John 3:16. Second, I have a mansion in Heaven—John 14:2. Thirdly, I have peace that passeth understanding—Philippians 4:7. Fourth, I have joy unspeakable—1 Peter 1:8. Fifth, I have divine love that never faileth—1 Corinthians 13:8. Sixth, I have a faithful, pious wife—Proverbs 31:10. Seventh, I have healthy, happy, obedient children—Exodus 20:12. Eighth, I have true, loyal friends—Proverbs 18:24. Ninth, I have songs in the night—Psalm 42:8. Tenth, I have a crown of life awaiting—James 1:12.” The tax collector closed his book and said, “Truly, you are a very rich man, but your property is not subject to taxation.”
The John 3:16 Mirror (John 3:16)
A banker in New York had a great desire to get the gospel message to the soldiers at Sandy Hook, but was not permitted to carry the glad tidings to them in person. So he called on a firm which manufactured advertising novelties and had them make several thousand small mirrors about three inches in diameter. On the celluloid back of each of these mirrors he had printed the words of John 3:16; and beneath the words of this inscription was written: “If you wish to see who it is that God loves, and for whom He gave His Son, look on the other side.”
God’s Nature (John 3:16)
A little girl and her mother were reading the New Testament one morning when they came to John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Stopping for a moment in the reading the mother asked, “Don’t you think it is wonderful?” The child, looking surprised, replied in the negative. The mother, somewhat astonished, repeated the question, to which the little daughter replied, “Why, no, Mommy, it would be wonderful if it were anybody else, but it is just like God.” The little girl was absolutely right. It is God’s nature to give freely of His grace and of His mercy.
What We Think (Philippians 4:19)
Our Thinking: “It’s impossible.” “I am too tired.” “Nobody really loves me.” “Nobody really cares for me.” “I cannot go on.” “I cannot figure things out.” “I cannot do it.” “I am not worth it.” “I cannot forgive myself.” “I cannot afford to.”
His Thinking: “All things are possible” Luke 18:27. “I will give you rest” Matthew 11:20–30. “I love you” John 3:16. “I care for you” 1 Peter 5:7. “My grace is sufficient” 2 Corinthians 12:9. “I will direct your steps” Proverbs 20:24; 3:6. “You can do all things” Philippians 4:13. “I am able” 2 Corinthians 9:8. “It will be worth it” Romans 8:28. “I forgive you” Psalm 103:12; 1 John 1:9. “I will supply all your needs” Philippians 4:19.
What John 3:16 Did (John 3:16)
Shortly after the Korean War, a hungry waif wandered the darkened streets trying to find shelter from the bitter cold of winter. A night watchman noticed his plight and said, “GoMa (child), go to yonder house and say to the one who answers the gate, ‘John 3:16.’ “ “But I do not know what John 3:16 is,” replied the lad. Nevertheless, desperation took him to the gate and brought that strange expression to his lips. He did not understand, but he whispered, “John 3:16.” The lady smiled and took him into her warm home. The lad was puzzled as he thought, “I do not know what this John 3:16 is, but it sure makes a cold Korean boy warm.” Seeing his gaunt cheeks, the lady soon had him seated before a steaming bowl of soup. As he ate, the lad thought again, “I do not know what this John 3:16 is, but it sure makes a hungry Korean boy full.” After a bath, he lay there on the warm bed with tears flowing down his cheeks, “I do not know what this John 3:16 is,” he thought, “but it must be the most wonderful thing in the whole world. It makes a strange lady love a lonely Korean boy.”
AMG Bible Illustrations, Bible Illustrations Series (Chattanooga: AMG Publishers, 2000).
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