I always find it more difficult to blog about familiar verses as there
are so many pre-conceived ideas about them. The lectionary gospel today
contains one such verse.
For anyone schooled in Evangelical Christianity this verse will probably
be one of the first ever memorized. It appears on car bumper stickers and on
billboards outside churches. It has become something of a hallmark of faith for
Evangelicals.
The verse is John 3:16. “For God so loved the world (Cosmos) that he gave
his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have
eternal life.”
The
trouble with overused verses is that they are often just taken as stand-alone texts
without much thought to context. This verse is part of a private conversation
with Nicodemus, not a public declaration for all. Nicodemus, a Rabbi, who came
to talk with Jesus under the cover of darkness. The lectionary passage (and
conversation with Nicodemus) end with talking about bringing deeds into the
light rather than the darkness. It really changes the whole focus of the verses
to read them in the context of being addressed to one person. The author
of John clearly used this to show that Nicodemus should be talking openly not
hiding in the night.
As I
read the passage, perhaps the theme I noted the most was the connection between
loving and giving. The outworking of love is giving. Giving is the response to
loving.
In the Anglican church’s calendar, the fourth
Sunday of Lent is mothering Sunday. It is a time when traditionally people
return to their “mother church” and to their families. Perhaps, it is not
merely coincidental that this reading which talks about parental love and
giving is the reading choice for the fourth Sunday of Lent. Already, I have
seen many posts on social media where love for mothers is being declared as
this day is celebrated in the UK (and I’m sure even more are given privately).
The declarations are accompanied by cards, flowers, chocolates and other small
gifts. Loving results in giving.
My
family is scattered, my grandchildren live in Asia. Obviously, I love them very
much. I like to give to them. I love to plan little treats to send overseas. Of
course, I don’t want to give the impression giving is all about material things—it
is not. It is also giving of ourselves, it is also hours spent talking to
someone, it is kind actions and thoughts—generosity.
So back
to the lectionary passage. This passage which is about loving and giving has
been used to cause division. This grieves me. In fact, I would go as far as to
say it has become one of the most divisive passages in the New Testament. It
has questioned one’s personal beliefs. The standard of John 3:16 has been
applied and many fall short. Division results. People are either accepted into
the fold or dismissed perhaps to be seen as targets to be persuaded to
understand these few verses in a particular way. Phrases like “real Christians”
or “nominal Christians” or “unbelievers” have sprung up. Today, I want to
refuse that kind of thinking. Divisions are horrible and need to be rejected.
Loving
and giving are the way forward.
