Christ is Coming #22

Today we begin week 4 of Advent with that ever-familiar John 3:
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

The opening chapters of John's gospel have in the background the questions: "Who are you and why are you here?  These words written by John about Jesus encapsulate the answer so well it is one of the most memorized and quoted scriptures.  Jesus is God the Son, and He is here because God sent Him; He sent Him because He loves people, the crown of His creation, and wants us to have a restored relationship with Him.  He sent Him because without His intervention, we are condemned. In context, it is part of the response of Jesus to Nicodemus - that the greatest need of mankind is to have life. Jesus gives that life.  So, as we begin Week 4 of Advent, let us never lose sight of the Love of God that is behind it all.