Theology

A Universe-Sized Love

The thrill of hope that emerges in our hearts at Advent

Phil Schorr

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. — John 3:16-17

I love the interplay between Nicodemus and Jesus in the Gospel of John. He meets Jesus at night to avoid judgment from his fellow Pharisees because he wants time to ask Jesus some honest questions. The keeper of the Jewish customs wants to get to the bottom of what’s intriguing him about this man who speaks with such authority.

Jesus responds so patiently and kindly to Nicodemus’s candor. He communicates his mission to the world by framing it in love, which is interesting when you consider that Nicodemus was a teacher of the law. In his kindness, Jesus shows Nicodemus that in God’s universe-sized love, he gave his only Son so that whoever believes will not be condemned to an eternity without God.

What kind of love is Jesus talking about here? I know that I use the word love a little generically in order to show my affection for something: I love this kind of food, I love my job, I love this TV show, I love my hobby. This is a kind of love.

But through Jesus, God revealed the kind of love he has for us and what effect he intended that love to have on us: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1).

Jesus’ big reveal about the design and depth of God’s love is calling us children of God. But it’s a love that came at a massive cost, which always comes with the greatest kind of love. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends,” Jesus says in John 15:13. This wasn’t merely an affection, a squishy feeling, or a special fondness for us. The love of God for us goes even deeper and wider than the universe itself, because “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them,” John tells us in 1 John 4:16.

Though we are born in a darkness that comprises the depths of our souls, God sent Jesus to burst through the blackness with a light that is bright enough to illuminate the farthest reaches of the universe. Jesus didn’t merely lay out the blueprints for God’s redemption; he also included God’s motivation: love. This is the thrill of hope that reemerges in our hearts every year at Advent, as we imagine the unfathomable volume of God’s love for us in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Reflection Questions:



1. Nicodemus, a teacher of the law, seeks answers from Jesus and encounters the profound message of God's love. How does Jesus' framing of his mission in terms of love challenge our understanding of the common cultural notions of love?

2. Advent is a season of anticipating and celebrating the unfathomable volume of God's love manifested in Jesus Christ. How can we cultivate a sense of awe and gratitude for the immeasurable love of God in our lives?

Ronnie Martin is lead pastor of Substance Church in Ashland, Ohio. He also serves as Director of Leader Renewal for Harbor Network and is the author of seven books.

This article is part of The Eternal King Arrives, a 4-week devotional to help individuals, small groups, and families journey through the 2023 Advent season . Learn more about this special issue that can be used Advent, or any time of year at http://orderct.com/advent.

Also in this issue

Over the 4 weeks of Advent, this devotional guide will look at the themes of Jesus' prophetic inauguration, God's plan for redemption, and the Eternal King's arrival into the world as a human through signs and wonders.

Advent for Grieving Hearts

What Made This ‘Epiphany’ Stand Out?

There Is a Light That Changes Everything

God’s Astonishing Announcement Scheme

A Symphony of Salvation

Out of Darkness, Light

From Egypt, Into Eternity

The Contrast Between Two Miraculous Mothers

Why Joseph Is Known as the Silent Saint

The Suspense of Mary’s Yes

Flutters of the Firstborn of Creation

True Hope Cannot Be Manufactured

The Goodness of Growing Smaller

We Forget We Belong to God

How to Behold the Glory

The Good News About Our Bad News

He Is Not One to Leave Us Hurting

The Synagogue Visit That Changed Everything

An Unscheduled Appointment

A Relentless Love

Prophesying a Perfect Ruler

The Humble Character of Our King

The Eternal King Arrives

View issue

Our Latest

Public Theology Project

What Horror Stories Can (and Cannot) Tell Us About the World

We want meaning and resolution—and the kind of monster we can defeat.

The Russell Moore Show

Paul Kingsnorth on the Dark Powers Behind AI

Are we summoning demons through our machines?

Welcome to Youth Ministry! Time to Talk about Anime.

Japanese animation has become a media mainstay among Gen Z. You may not “get” it, but the zoomers at your church sure do.

Review

‘One Battle After Another’ Is No Way to Live

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, the new film from Paul Thomas Anderson plays out the dangers of extremism.

Review

Tyler Perry Takes on ‘Ruth and Boaz’

In his new Netflix movie, Ruth is a singer, Boaz has an MBA, and the Tennessee wine flows freely.

To Black Worship Leaders, Gospel vs. Contemporary Worship Is a False Dichotomy

The discussion around Maverick City Music highlights how commercial success and congregational value are two different things.

Review

Needing Help Is Normal

Leah Libresco Sargeant’s doggedly pro-life feminist manifesto argues that dependence is inevitable.

Review

Don’t Give Dan Brown the Final Word on the Council of Nicaea

Bryan Litfin rescues popular audiences from common myths about the origins of Trinitarian doctrine.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube