The Generosity of God

April 14th, 2026

John 3:16-21.

Recently, our two children faced a crisis of epic proportions: There was only one ice cream sandwich remaining in the freezer! How could we resolve this intractable problem? Before I could offer a suggestion, my youngest said, “Hey sis, you can have this last ice cream sandwich. I’ll just have a sucker.” As I opened my mouth to praise his generosity, I heard him mutter, “Pretty sure that ice cream sandwich tastes like freezer burn anyway.” Less generous than I thought!

Unlike my son, God did not offer us the leftovers at the bottom of the freezer. God gave us the most precious thing God had to offer: God’s Son, Jesus. Not only that, God also offered the Son on behalf of the world, a term that the gospel writer John uses as shorthand to describe rebellious humankind.

God did not offer up the Son as a reward for our obedience or in response to repentant hearts. God offered up the Son while we were, as Paul says in Romans 5, still sinners. The love of God could not and cannot be thwarted by our rebellion or pride. Rather, it pours forth on us without measure, inviting us to respond in trusting obedience.

Author: Stephanie Lobdell