The Verse We Think We Know: Seeing God's Love with Fresh Eyes
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 23 December 2025
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Welcome to Day 23.
We are now agonizingly close to Christmas. The wrapping paper is likely all over the floor, the fridge is full of food, and the excitement is building. In the middle of this festive rush, we pause to read twenty-six words that might just be the most famous sentence in human history.
The danger with such a famous verse is that we can easily skim over it. We nod our heads and say, "Yes, I know that one," without letting the reality of it sink into our hearts.
But today, I want to invite you to read it slowly.
The verse begins with the motive: "For God so loved the world."
In our culture, the word "love" has become a bit thin. We use it for everything. We say we love our children, but in the same breath, we say we love pizza, or we love a new pair of shoes. When we use the same word for a deep relationship and a pepperoni slice, the meaning gets diluted.
God’s love is different. It is not just a warm feeling or a sentimental emotion. It is a force of nature. And crucially, it is a love that acts.
Notice the connection in the verse. God loved, so He gave.
You cannot have love without giving. You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving. Love always seeks the best for the beloved, even if it costs the lover everything.
And the cost here was astronomical. He gave "his one and only Son."
At Christmas, we give gifts to people we care about. We might buy a watch for a partner or a toy for a child. These gifts cost us money. But God’s gift cost Him Himself. He didn't send an angel or a representative. He gave the most precious thing He had. He sent Jesus to be "God With Us," knowing full well that this mission would lead to the cross.
This is how we know—really know—that God is with us in love. We don't just have to guess. We don't have to look at a beautiful sunset and hope there is a loving God behind it. We can look at the manger, and we can look at the cross. Those are the tangible, historical proofs that God loves you.
He loves "the world." That includes the messy parts. It includes the people who feel unlovable. It includes you on your worst days just as much as on your best days.
So today, try to hear this verse as if it is the first time. God saw you. He loved you. And He gave everything to be with you. That is a love worth celebrating.
Prayer of the Day:
Father God, thank You for John 3:16. We confess that sometimes we treat these words as a cliché instead of a lifeline. We are overwhelmed by the depth of Your love. Thank You that You didn't just say You loved us, but You proved it by giving Your one and only Son. Help us to receive that love afresh today and to live with the security of knowing we are cherished by You. Amen.