"God Gave"

"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."  John 3:16

God loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son Jesus for us.  When did He give Him?  Was it when Jesus was born in a manger?  Was it when He came into the world?  Was it when He walked the shores of Galilee?  It was when He gave Him up to the cross.  

The Father gave His Son when He placed Him on the altar of the cross to be a sacrifice for our sins.  Jesus came to "give" His life as a ransom for our sins.  That giving was done when He hung on the cross.  Up until that time He was only sent into the world.  He was living on earth.  The giving of His life had not happened.  When He prayed in the garden to let this cup pass from Him, the Father could have changed His mind and said, "All right.  You don't have to do it."  Had that happened, He would not have giving His life.  

I hope I am making sense and you are getting the picture.  God loved us so much that He gave Jesus for us.  He exchanged His life for our life.  He punished Him for us.  He laid our death sentence on Jesus.  He pardoned us because Jesus was crucified in our place.  But it was only then that He gave Him.  He gave Him when He gave His life for us.  It was the giving of His Son at the cross that gives us eternal life.  That is what the "whosoever believes in Him would not perish" means.  Believe in His death on the cross for the forgiveness of sins.  

As you celebrate this Resurrection weekend, think about how much God gave for you.  He gave it all-- He gave His Only Son for you.  He gave Him up at the cross in order to gain you as His child.  Remember the cross.  Remember His resurrection.  Remember that He gave so you could have.

Have a great day.  God gave His Son Jesus as the punishment for our sins so that we could have eternal life.