‘SO’ is such a tiny word, but one that can imply the very depth of one’s feelings. For example, when a person says “I love you ‘so’ much”, the degree or extent of one’s affection is easily understood. And, nowhere is the potency of this word better represented than in John 3:16. “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.”

“For God ‘SO’ Loved The World”…. Clearly, the word ‘so’ reveals the enormity and the intensity of God’s love; a love of such magnitude no human being can possibly comprehend it. (John 15:13) Without question our mortal love can and will drive us to protect our loved ones, but would we be willing to die for a stranger, a condemned criminal or an enemy? John 3:16 tells us that God sent His Son to do exactly that! “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us...” (I John 3:16) His love covers the entire human race despite our filthy sin; regardless of our geographical location or ethnicity! God’s love is as big as all creation itself. “For as the heaven is high above the earth, ‘so’ great is His mercy toward them that fear (possess a holy awe of) him.” (Psalm 103:11) Such love can only come from The Great Creator, with eternal life its fruit!

“…That He Gave His Only Begotten Son”…. This mindboggling love is clearly revealed by Jesus’s virgin birth! (Matthew 1:18) Understand! Because of God’s divine love, the very Son of God stepped down from the golden streets of Heaven onto the earth’s filthy, sin-crusted highways to be born in a dirty stable to humble parents; to be greeted, not by royalty, but by lowly shepherds, and reared not in the company of angels, but raised as an ordinary carpenter’s son. “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (I John 4:10)

But God’s infinite love didn’t stop at the stable…it flowed from the Cross! Having taken the form of man - “But made himself (Jesus) of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:” Philippians 2:7) - Jesus walked upon this earth proclaiming the coming Kingdom of God (Luke 4:43), only to be mocked, ridiculed, and cruelly crucified. Jesus said, “For the Son of man is come to seek and save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10; John 14:6) God’s profound love is glaringly apparent from the stable to the cross, and it reverberates from the empty tomb!

“…That Whosoever Believeth On Him Should Not Perish (sentenced to endless misery) But Have Everlasting Life”.... When we picture Jesus’s blood soaked body hanging in tortured agony, His hands and feet straining in excruciating pain against the restraining nails, His face covered with blood and spittle, and people mocking and taunting Him, why doesn’t God seek retaliation? Why? Why would God, who could wipe humanity and sin from the face of the earth and condemn all mankind to eternal damnation (remember The Flood), send His Son to die for a race of rebellious, worthless sinners rather than take righteous revenge by casting all humanity into the searing flames of Hell; by casting us for all eternity into the terrifying company of Satan and his demons (Lake of Fire)? (Revelation 20:10-15) The answer is simple, although incomprehensible! “The Lord……is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that ANY should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (II Peter 3:9b/I Timothy 2:4) ‘So’ great a love!

If, at the hands of others, we encounter difficulty and heartbreak, revenge may quickly surface. But, despite man’s continued and blatant refusal of Jesus, God doesn’t seek retribution. Instead, He wants every individual to enter into His Kingdom; to be forever in His presence! He wants every man, woman, boy and girl to accept His eternal gift; a gift not wrapped in tissue and ribbon, but a gift wrapped in God’s willingness to sacrifice His precious Son for a wicked world; a willingness to send His Son to take our sins upon Himself! (John 10:17-18) A gift wrapped in immeasurable love and everlasting forgiveness! (Ephesians 1:7) A gift wrapped in God’s unending mercy and grace. (Titus 2:11) This is the gift of eternal salvation!

It’s Christmas. Celebrate and embrace the totality of God’s endless love! If He hadn’t loved us ‘SO’ much, there would have been no virgin birth, no cross, no atonement for our sins, no victory over death, and NO gift of everlasting life! But, halleluiah, there is such a gift! “…..the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23b) When we BELIEVE on Jesus, God’s gift of everlasting life is ours!

Merry Christmas!