NOTES for Joh 3:16-21
The coming of the Son of God into the world is a manifestation not of God’s wrath, but of love. In today’s reading, Jesus says that God sent the Son not to judge, but to save. At the same time, the very fact that the Son of God has come is already a judgment, because He is light. In this light, the most important thing becomes visible: people’s hearts. While He was not present, one could pretend that everything was fine. One could even say that one loved God and continue to live as one pleased. When He is near, there is no longer any room for falsehood. This is precisely why it was so difficult for those who saw Him face to face during His earthly life to accept Him. We have believed without seeing Him. The question is what His light means to us: life and joy, or rebuke? And do we truly desire to meet Him? Let us pray that His light may illumine our hearts and that He may become our life.