John 3:16 Discussion

3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

Rollen Fredrick Stewart (born February 23, 1944), also known as Rock'n Rollen and Rainbow Man, is a man who was a fixture in American sports culture best known for wearing a rainbow-colored afro-style wig and, later, holding up signs reading "John 3:16" at stadium sporting events around the United States and overseas in the 1970s and 1980s.[1] He was convicted of multiple kidnapping charges following an incident in 1992 and is now serving three life sentences in Mule Creek State Prison.

Like many people, millions of people, I saw this sign held up at baseball games. For me it was no doubt the Cubs because that was Eric’s favorite baseball team and therefore ours. I always wondered? Who is that? Is it different people at different times? How does he get those great seats? And of course What is he trying to say and Why?

Again the Why question is the uniquely human question that defies being categorized or quantified. I never knew that the guy was a criminal but what does this tell us about the Why?

People feel the need to push their beliefs on others. Why? And with John 3:16 this is One Sentence, One Passage out of a collection of 66 books in the Bible. Yet people have narrowed their entire belief system down to this.

Why?

The promise of ever lasting life? Apparently. Let’s look at this. Life, everlasting is not happening for anyone at any time. It did not happen for Jesus or for any of his believers. What does survive is the story of his life and his dedication to humanity. It is these values of love thy neighbor and do unto others that Jesus lived for and dedicated his ministry too. The verses following 316 talk about doing good. This, I believe is what Jesus wants and what God is. God = Good! 

14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

To know God is to follow in Jesus example. Now, it does sound exclusionary and I grant you that that does pose a problem because it leads the narrow minded to pass judgment on people rather than see and feel the overriding message of  Love and Acceptance. In my opinion Jesus would love all other religions and religious leaders as long as they were Good.