God So Loved the World

John 3:16-21 (NRSV)

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. "Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God."

Here is probably the most famous of Jesus' teachings in the whole Bible. John 3:16 is quoted about as much as Psalm 23. Even those who do not consider themselves to be religious know or have heard at one point or another John 3:16 and 17. It is indeed a beautiful text and one that is rightly remembered and cherished.

Even those things that we often cherish and remember fondly, go past us without giving some thought as to what they really mean. And so probably the best question to ask from this Gospel passage is: do we really believe that God so loved the world that God's Son Jesus Christ was sent to save us, because God did not send God's Son to condemn it?

From the way right wing Christians often talk we would think that all of the world was condemned even after God's Son was crucified and resurrected. Prejudice and inequality is so rampart in the world, the Church and society. Is that really a reflection of a world that God loved and so sent God's Son? No wonder so many people look and see and respond with the question: Where in the world is God?

Since last weeks devastating earthquake in Haiti, we have seen one incredible event after another that we would not see otherwise. We have seen Presidents of different political parties coming together to work to do the right thing for those who have perished and are in desperate need. I guess the only time we can put political differences aside is when their is an earthquake and thousands of people have been killed. We have seen nations that in other circumstances would be at each others throats for power coming together to help one poor nation who has been hit by devastation, death and destruction. Why can't nations talk peacefully and work together without a devastating earthquake to bring them together? Even churches and religious based organizations have come together to donate money, food, supplies and humans to work, doctors and nurses and all the like have come together because their hearts have been moved by another country in turmoil. Why can't we put our prejudices aside at other times and see in one another God's image and likeness in all human beings, who have been redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb of God and being sanctified by God's Holy Spirit?

God so loved the world that God gave God's Son for all. God sees all of the world as worth saving and cherishing. When the religious right makes the claim that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people cannot be among God's saved because of our sexual orientation and/or gender identity and/or expression they are wrong. God's love for all the world includes LGBT people. We are among God's Beloved in Christ, and through the death and resurrection of Christ we are among those that God saved. "God did not send God's Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world may be saved through him." Are not LGBT people among those whom God came into the world not to condemn, but save through God's only Begotten Son?

Because we are among God's beloved, we are called to make known our voices for equality and justice for LGBT people and all who are thought of as second class citizens. We must continue to speak up and take part in calling on our courts, our Congress, President and State legislators for marriage equality and protection of our rights under the law. We are among those whom God loved in the world when God sent Jesus to redeem it. We have every business speaking up and letting people know that we are among God's beloved, with whom God is well-pleased.

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany, Book of Common Prayer, Page 215)

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, Page 815).