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. John 3:16 KJV.

REFLECT:
When we hear the pronoun ‘Whoever, or whosoever,’ being used, we automatically know that it can refer to anybody. This means that there is no restriction, barriers, distinction, or limitations by age, gender, race, or class that would prevent anybody who wishes to be a part of this call.

This sort of call is taken as an open invitation. It recalls a particular slogan or jingle used by Samsung to market their products, which goes thus “everyone is invited.” A very captivating Invitation that no one would like to turn down. This tactical know-how has earned Samsung an enviable place, and position in the digital world of today.

This same wisdom or know-how was used decades ago by our Lord Jesus. Our Bible verse for today in —– John 3:16 makes this conspicuously clear to us.

In this Bible verse Jesus makes it a point to call out to the ‘whosoever,’ He gives an open invitation, lovingly tugging on the hearts and souls of men with a gentle appeal. No one else could have done this any better. For this reason, we can comfortably call Him the greatest ‘people’s person’ the world has ever known.

Jesus knew that the souls and heart of man was the most precious price on earth, and to win and endear this most cherished commodity His approach must be that of love and gentleness.

He did not come to us brandishing and holding a sword to our throats to forcefully get us to follow Him. This was a person who understood us more than we understand ourselves. He knew what we needed the most to get us out of the pit we found ourselves in. He knew we needed the encouragement of love. Hence, it is not surprising that He is called the greatest lover of all ages.

This love was first fashioned and established in heaven, a bond between the Godhead—The Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Therefore, our focus Bible verse clearly starts with the opening remarks —— “For God so loved the world.” Thus, love was the threefold cord that could never be broken.

Love was put into action, and therefore, had to be demonstrated. Since no one else could take on this huge responsibility, it had to be God again who must take on this huge role. God the Son had to come down to earth as the subject of love. His mission was to win to Himself His object of love —– MAN.

A perfect description of Jesus’s love for us can be explained in the following Bible verses:

“Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.” Songs of Solomon 8: 6-7 (KJV).

The first chapter of the book of Hebrews gives us an understanding of why Jesus was the only one qualified to take on the role and responsibility to die on the cross for man’s sin. (Please read Hebrews chapter one for more details).

From the scriptures above we can understand why the cross could not deter or hold Jesus back from His mission, this was because His love for us was so intense, He just couldn’t let go of us. Therefore, the cross was put to good use, as a place to propose His love to us. He was ready to die a shameful death to purchase us at all costs.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12: 2 (KJV).

So, now that we know the story of God’s love for us, would we be willing to count ourselves as the ‘Whosoever?’ Like was mentioned earlier, this is an invitation that no one would or should ever refuse or miss. Today is a perfect day and time to come into a love relationship with Jesus. So, let us open our hearts to receive this call.

“Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness.” Hebrews 3:7-8 (KJV).

Jesus tells us that when we love Him, it automatically means that we love the Father and the Holy Spirit. To show our love for Jesus we would be willing to keep and obey His words. The reward for our obedience will be an infilling or indwelling of the presence of God in our lives.

“Jesus answered and said unto him, “If a man love Me, he will keep My words; and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him and make Our abode with him.” John 14: 23 (KJV).

Above all, when we read the last part of our Bible verse for today in John 3: 16, we will find the reason why Jesus had to die for us. This is because He couldn’t bear to spend eternity without us. If Jesus didn’t die on the cross we would have been condemned to hell for all eternity, and be deprived of God’s gift of everlasting life.

“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. John 3:16 (KJV).

This is an open invitation to everybody, the greatest invitation of all time. Let each one of us be encouraged to accept this invitation by counting ourselves as one of the ‘Whosoever.’

When we bring ourselves to start understanding the depth and extent of God’s love for us, we will know why it is important, and without any form of hesitation we will offer ourselves wholeheartedly as a “Whosoever,” to the greatest lover of our souls – Jesus.

Ebimobo Obasi.

PLEASE PRAY ALONG:

A Prayer for God’s Love.

Dear LORD JESUS, You came and took on the weight of our mistakes. You humbled Yourself, facing a humiliating death because You loved Your Father and us. You did not want to spend eternity in Heaven without us, so You brought Heaven down to us. As I reflect on Your sacrifice, help me to never take it for granted. Make me eager to model Your sacrificial love and forgiveness to others. AMEN.