God’s Greatest Gift

"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." John 3:16

James Montgomery Boice, longtime pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, once came across a little card upon which someone had printed the words of John 3:16. Boice describes the card in his expositional commentary The Gospel of John as follows:

The verse was arranged almost word by word down one side of the card, and on the other side of the card across from the words of the verse was a list of descriptive phrases, one for each part. The person looking at the card would read:

   God -  (the greatest Lover)

   so loved- (the greatest degree)

   the world - (the greatest company)

   that he gave- (the greatest act)

   his only begotten Son- (the greatest gift)

   that whosoever (the greatest opportunity)

   believeth (the greatest simplicity)

   in him - (the greatest attraction)

   should not perish - (the greatest promise)

   but- (the greatest difference)

   have (the greatest certainty)

   everlasting life - (the greatest possession)

And then over it all, revealing spiritual perception that was most accurate, there was the title "Christ- the Greatest Gift."

Boice concludes his thoughts about the little card with these words, "The reason why Jesus Christ is the greatest of God's gifts is that Jesus is the best God had to give. God so loved the world that he gave his very best."

Boice's words remind me of Hallmark's advertising slogan "when you care enough to send your very best." This Christmas season as I watch a Hallmark movie (and I watch a lot of them!!) or send a Christmas card, Boice's words will remind me that God loved me enough to send His very best. He loved you enough too. But God didn't stop with just sending His best gift. He actually gave His very best gift. Someone once wrote that the value of a gift is determined by the cost to the giver. Giving us God's best gift cost God His Only Son, Jesus Christ.

Jesus- God's Greatest Gift given- when God loved enough to send His very best.