He would do it again, too (but doesn't need to).

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

Admit it.

You saw the verse and you thought, "Oh dear. Sunday school?" 

I would venture to guess this verse is second only to "Jesus wept" in times memorized for Sunday school and vacation Bible school contests.

And I would also venture to guess that it could stand a second or third) look. So here it is:

I could go all Greek on you and point out that both verbs (loved and gave) are in the aorist tense, and that one "method" to the aorist madness is that it is used in the case of an action that is "once and done," but the results of which continue to be felt over and over again. 

Truer words were never spoken. God so loved the world.

But here is where I am going today: Why not imagine the verb loved is in the present  tense? It's still profoundly true. It allows the ever-loving arms of the Creator to wrap all around your broken, aching heart and remind you of a very, very important truth.

God so loves the world and each and every bit of it. The gift of the Son of Man only happened once (and done). But the love of the Almighty is eternal and unceasing. It happens once-- and forever. 

And it happens for you. 

That, friends, is the Good News in a nutshell.

And in case you were curious? No, English does not have an aorist tense. Rejoice and be glad :)

* * * * *
Lord God, remind us again, in case we forget, how wide and deep and high and long is your love for us, just as we are. Amen.