Message: Living Eternal Life / John 3:14-21

"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." This verse, John 3:16, is perhaps the most well-known verse in the Bible because many people believe it holds the heart of Christianity. 

The "eternal life" that Jesus talks about in this verse is not just about the afterlife; it is about living fully in this moment. "Eternal" means a state of being beyond time, with no beginning or end. We believe that God is fully present in the past, present, and future, yet transcends all those times. The word "believe" as used in today's text also means "rely on". When we rely on the Eternal God, we are freed from the guilt of the past and the anxiety of the future, allowing us to live faithfully in the present. This relationship between eternity and the moment is described by the English poet William Blake (1757-1827) in his poem "Auguries of Innocence" as follows: 


“To see a World in a Grain of Sand

And a Heaven in a Wild Flower 

Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand 

And Eternity in an hour”


So, how can we live eternal life here and now? Jesus says it is possible when we accept God's unconditional love. The word "so" used in this verse actually means "thus" or "in this way." Also, the term "only" is literally "unique, special, or beloved," just like some Jewish literature applied it to Isaac to emphasize the sacrifice of Abraham who had two sons (for example, Genesis 22:2). For this reason, the verse can be understood this way: "This is how God loved the world: he gave his beloved child."

What is more important here is that "the world" in the text was used in a negative sense. When the Gospel of John was written, people thought that heavenly things were more valuable than earthly ones, and spiritual matters were more precious than material ones. The ancient Greek philosopher Plato compared the world to a shadow on a cave wall seen by someone living in the cave, suggesting that the world is inferior, with limitations and flaws.

The world was seen as flawed and inferior, but Jesus emphasized that God loved it nevertheless. God loves the imperfect human beings in the imperfect world. God loves people and the world enough to sacrifice what God cares most. God's love is unconditional. Like a father who loved his prodigal son as much as he loved his faithful first son, God wants to embrace all people. God makes His sun shine equally on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous without discrimination (Matthew 5:45).

As some psychologists say, everyone has their own shadow. These shadows are the emotional blind spots of ourselves that we do not want others to see. We all have complexes that make us feel inadequate, inferior, or ugly. The issue arises when we do not recognize our shadow as a part of who we are and try to look away or avoid it, as it creates a huge gap inside of us. The more we try to hide our shadows, the more we become like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde—hypocritical by day and violent by night.

God does not love the world because it is like heaven; God does not love us because we are like angels; God loves us despite the shadows we have. Even though the world is flawed and we have shadows, God never gives up on the world and us, so we should not give up on ourselves and the world either. Don't give up on living a better life. Don't give up on being happier and more loving. Don't give up on being kinder, nicer, and gentler. When we trust in God who loves us just as we are, we dare to accept our shadows as they are and step out into the light. 

When I was taking Clinical Pastoral Education, a required course in my M. Div program, my struggle was with an inferiority complex due to my social status as an immigrant and the language barrier. I went to the hospital three times a week for seven months to attend classes and practice visiting patients for spiritual care. At first, it was very challenging. Medical terminology was too difficult, and I sometimes faced racism. Going there was depressing and stressful for me because I felt small and vulnerable.

Then one day, I found the name of a patient who had immigrated on the chart, so I intentionally visited her. She did not speak English and seemed afraid of the hospital environment. I could imagine how hard it would be for her. Although the conversation did not go well, I tried to communicate with her using body language. During the visit, I noticed that she felt more comfortable with me than with others in the hospital because I was the only one who was not a white Canadian speaking quickly. I visited her a few more times before she was discharged, and I learned a lot from that experience.

Before the visit, I thought being an immigrant and a non-native speaker was my big handicap. However, the patient showed me that my weaknesses could be a blessing, helping me become more compassionate towards those who need God’s love and strength. I also learned that despite my vulnerability, when I try to help others, someone else in a similar situation may find encouragement and hope through it. My shadow will not disappear. But now I understand. When the shadow is in the dark, it makes the darkness darker, but when it comes into the light, it can provide shade for someone to rest in.

Last Friday, March 8th, was International Women's Day. It is a day celebrated worldwide to honour the achievements of women and girls in society, culture, and politics. It is also a time to raise awareness about the progress made in achieving gender equality and the challenges that still exist. Some women still face danger in the world, which is why movements like "Take Back the Night" continue their mission to end all forms of sexual, relationship, and domestic violence globally.

When people refuse to accept God’s love and remain in darkness, their distrust, anxiety, despair, and shadows drive them to violence and hatred. They turn the night, which was created as a time of rest, into a prison of terror and fear. This is why we have to share the gospel of Christ. We should not stop proclaiming, teaching, serving, and loving until everyone in the world believes in God's love and lives an eternal life.

Thanks be to God. Amen.


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