He Gave

For God so loved the world that He gave...­­  John 3:16

There are different types of love in this world. Illustrating this is a Jewish story of a fisherman who caught a very large pike fish. Upon seeing this great fish he said, “I will bring this fish to the king because he loves pike.” The fish thought, “I have hope, for the king loves pike.” When the man got to the gate the guards stopped him and inquired about his business. “I have this beautiful pike for the king.” “Oh, the king loves Pike,” said the guards. “It is true”, thought the pike. “There is hope for me! The guards have confirmed that the king loves pike.” When the king saw the pike, he said, “Cut off the head and tail, and cut him up the center.” The fish cried out in anguish, “You don’t love me, you love yourself!”

It is true that the king’s love was still a kind of love, but, it was a love of how much he enjoyed the consuming of the pike and the pleasure that he gained from it, not for what the fish would gain from it (surely the fish would be left with just a skeleton- and you just know that the cat loves pike skeleton!).

But there is yet another love- love that gives; no strings attached. The pleasure is in the pure fact that the one who loves was able to give, to give for no other reason than love. This is different from charity, which may give out of seeing a need, or pity. This is an act of passioned love. You give because you love.

That is what we see in John 3:16. He loved, so He gave. He loved the world, so He gave. He loved the lost, so He gave. He loved children, so He gave. He loved the criminal, so He gave. He loved the adulterer, so He gave. He loved gays, so he gave. He loved the alcoholic, so He gave. He loved you, so He gave…

…His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.


A Couple Q's for You
What has God given to you?

Do you know right now that you are totally and completely loved by God? How do you know this?

What difference does it make to you to know that God gave His only begotten son for you?

Write your answers in a “comment”. Keep it anonymous if it is too personal. I’ll pray for you.