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John 3:16 - What You May Not Know About the "Most Famous" Bible Verse

We all know the verse John 3:16... But do you know who Jesus quoted this verse to? What his occupation was? And what time of day it was quoted? Do you know what country this verse was quoted?

This "gospel in a nutshell" was given to Nicodemus in Jerusalem... a member of the Jewish ruling council... so a major political figure... who like many politicians snuck into the night to talk "off the record" and "secretly" meet with Jesus...

This religious Pharisee by day was part of a group that would one day lead to Jesus’ death. The religious "theologians" were threatened by Jesus who was calling himself the "Son of God" and performing miracles. Where most Pharisees scoffed at Jesus’ healing the sick and feeding the hungry, Nicodemus realized that only the "Son of God" could commit such miraculous deeds.

He needed more evidence and who better to interrogate than the "suspect" (Jesus) himself. Nicodemus had plenty of witnesses to include himself, but he needed more proof. Sadly, sometimes even when we witness the truth... we still cannot convince ourselves to believe....

What Nicodemus wanted to know was how to obtain eternal life... or life after death... He believed because he was a Jewish ruler and following a strict religious regime that he was sure to enter heaven.... Jesus corrected him with the famous verse John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believes in him shall not perish, but has everlasting life".

Nicodemus could not enter heaven on his own merit... cuz God could see what the rest of Jerusalem could not... Nicodemus's heart... his intentions... his pride... his sin... Nicodemus thought that only the Jews were going to heaven when they died but that's why Jesus threw in the "WHOSOEVER" part.

He followed this up with a verse that is not quite as famous saying "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him"... Isn’t that interesting... who knew? Jesus was not sent here to condemn us... but to save us...

We, like Nicodemus, want to go to heaven... but to do so...we cannot just be "good people"... for it is impossible to always be good... because of this...we must look inside ourselves... past the pride... past "our goodness" and realize that we are truly a sinful creature... Stop comparing yourself to Ted Bundy! Think of your mind, your heart, your pride, your evil intentions, your lying and gossiping tongue, your anger, your manipulation, road rage, ur heart.... We are far from perfect...

Because of this...we need a Savior... whose already paid for the sins done in secret... all we must do is believe in Jesus and ask Him to come into our heart...confess our sins to him... and that is the simplest recipe for eternal life that anyone can ask for... it is easier than a Bejeweled game... easier than riding a bike... it takes seconds to do... but for some... a lifetime to accomplish...

We steady read our 401K's and deferred compensation... we painstakingly save all of our receipts for taxes a year in advance... we prepare months ahead of time for vacations, school... all our business is in order... like Nicodemus though...we find ourselves.. Sneaking into the night... looking for a healer... looking for a Savior... take the time to take care of your spiritual business.... Prepare ahead of time... for eternity....

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