John 3:16 “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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

A church leader from a century ago called the God who sent poisonous snakes into the Israelite camp “a dirty bully.” Apparently he missed the part about Israel criticizing God, and the Lord arranging for them to be saved. Too much emphasis on morals, and God becomes the Gestapo or a terrifying Judge. Too much emphasis on practical living, and God becomes a glorified personal trainer or divine customer service representative.

When dying people see the God who saves them, then he becomes Love personified.  “God so loved the world,” Jesus says. “This is how much God loves you.” If you want to know how he really feels about you, if you want to know what he is really like, this is where you see his heart. In terms of love he is something immeasurably more than a devoted friend, an adoring and attentive parent, a faithful spouse and passionate lover, though he uses all those pictures to illustrate his love. No one else’s love ever duplicates the One who saves those who believe.

He gave his one and only Son. That sounds noble and genuinely affectionate at first, but perhaps not unique. Have you ever seen Saving Private Ryan? A woman sends four sons into combat in World War II. Three of them are killed in the war. The Department of Defense commissions a squad of soldiers to find the fourth brother and send him home before he becomes a casualty as well. Several men in this squad die in their attempt to carry out this mission. So the bereaved mother in this story, partly based on true events, gives up three sons to save others from Nazi oppression, and members of the squad give up their lives to save a fellow soldier. History and literature are full of examples of people giving up their lives, or people they love, to save others.

There are a number of differences we might point out, but this one is the key: In no other case I know was death a part of the mission. It was an unhappy side effect. It was a known risk. But it wasn’t the purpose for sending them. In the movie, in every other case I know, the hope is that everyone will make it back alive.

God sent his Son, his one and only Son, into the world to die. That was the plan from the beginning. He must be lifted up on that cross for his plan to work. What we needed was someone to die in our place, a payment for our sins. Anything short of Jesus’ death, and no one is saved. So God gave us his Son, because he loved us this much. No one will ever love us more. His love made the ultimate sacrifice to save those who believe.