The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Brothers and sisters,

Today we hear one of the most quoted verses in all of Scripture: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.”

Now, we see this verse everywhere—on bumper stickers, billboards, even at football games. You almost expect John 3:16 to show up on your grocery receipt one day: “Two gallons of milk, loaf of bread, eternal life—free with purchase.”

But just because it’s famous doesn’t mean it’s shallow. In fact, it’s one of the deepest truths: God so loved the world. Not “God liked the world a little bit.” Not “God tolerated the world like a distant relative at Thanksgiving.” No—He loved the world.

And let’s be honest: that’s saying something. Because “the world” includes a lot of us at our worst. The guy who cuts you off in traffic, the relative who brings up politics at family dinner, the person who still thinks “reply all” is a good idea. Yep. God loves them too. (I know, I was hoping for exceptions as well.)

Then John tells us: He gave His only Son. Not a spare angel, not a heavenly intern—His Son. That’s like a parent saying, “Here, take my child. I’ll cover the cost.” I lent a friend my car once and worried the whole day it would come back missing a mirror. God doesn’t lend—He gives, permanently. And He gives not to condemn us, but to save us.

That’s the sly twist: so many people think God is the great heavenly referee, just waiting to throw the penalty flag the second we mess up. But Jesus says the opposite. He’s not here to blow the whistle—He’s here to grab us out of the mud, clean us off, and say, “Come home.”

I’ll never forget: when I was a kid, I once broke a lamp while trying to reenact a karate movie. (For the record, the lamp lost.) I thought my mom would disown me. Instead, she hugged me and said, “You’re more important than a lamp.” That’s love. And if a parent can do that for a clumsy kid, imagine how much more God does for us.

Here’s the takeaway: God loves you as you are—mess, cracks, bad decisions and all. He doesn’t wait until you’re perfect; He loves you into perfection. That’s what the Cross is: love poured out without conditions.

So, if God looks at you and says, “I love you enough to die for you,” maybe we can look at others and say, “I can love you enough to forgive you.” Or at least, “I can love you enough not to honk at you when the light turns green.” Baby steps.

Brothers and sisters, John 3:16 is not just a Bible verse to memorize. It’s the heart of the Gospel. The Creator of the stars looks at each of us—ordinary, flawed, sometimes silly people—and says: “You are worth everything.”

And that’s the kind of Good News that’s better than any billboard.

Amen.