For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him may not perish
but may have eternal life.
John 3:16
This Memorial Day weekend, as we remember those that have died for our country praying for those with the empty seat at the picnic table, let us value their sacrifice with the perspective of Jesus. In this well-know verse, John 3:16, the Savior tells us there is a contrast. The difference with between perishing and eternal life. Eternal life is not just living a long time, it is letting your life count for something. Perishing has the idea of futility and not gaining something of value.
Those that have died defending their country may have had an early death, but they did not perish in futility. They have added to the quality of our life of freedom in this country. So, they did not “perish” they gave their sacrifice.
Jesus is contrasting perishing and having eternal life in this verse, and here the difference comes from belief. The belief that Jesus says brings eternal life is not an assent to the facts or creed, but belief that calls us to the way of life that counts for something. The way that calls us not to waste our lives, but to be a living sacrifice for the message of hope the Savior brings us.
Pastor Greg
