John 3:16 is arguably the most famous verse of scripture in the Bible. “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.” It’s been called “the Gospel in a nutshell”. For most of us it was the first scripture we memorized. But I wonder if we are truly as amazed and awed as we should be at the implication of that verse.

 

I was watching the news a couple of weeks ago when the riots in Portland, Oregon were at their worst.  There was a line of police officers preventing the rioters from entering a certain segment of the city.  The crowd in front of them were openly hostile to them.  In fact, one man kept getting right up in one officer’s face shouting obscenities and saying horrible, terrible things to him.  His language was quite uncivilized.  It was hateful, and shameful. I honestly don’t know how the officer restrained himself from doing or saying anything to that idiot in front of him.

 

Here’s the thing about John 3:16…it was written to that rioter!  God loves him. I can barely fathom a love like that; a love for someone who is, frankly, un-lovable.  That God loves someone who is hateful, rude, and disrespectful is beyond my understanding.  I can understand God loving me….right?  I’m good, kind, respectful, loving and caring (can I get a testimony? Haha). But that man? How can God love him?  But He does. And He loves him as much as He loves me.

 

Don’t get me wrong; I believe that officer should have chunked that guys rear end into a police cruiser and driven him to the station for some time of quiet, personal reflection.  But God loves him in spite of himself and our task…our goal…is to share the gospel with him.  Nothing else will dissolve his anger and hatred. Nothing else will change his heart.  For God so loved that guy…….