By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

Does Anyone Out There Care?

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 English Standard Version

The cry of our culture could be summed up this way, “Does anyone out there care about me?”  In the midst of unprecedented affluence and technology and wealth, we are lonely, confused, and without meaning or purpose.  Perhaps you feel that way, that you have so much in terms of possessions and riches, and yet you feel empty, unloved, and alone.

Sin does that to us.  Separation from God and from His righteousness leaves us in spiritual darkness and emotional emptiness.  Without a connection with our Creator God, we don’t know who we are.  Human relationships and striving leave us ever more discouraged, lonely, and hopeless.

But God knows our predicament and He cares about you and me. “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…”  In the midst of our sinfulness and hopelessness, God sends His Son.  Why does He send His Son?  Because He loves us!  God loves sinful, hopeless people and sacrificed His own Son for us!

And what did that Sacrifice accomplish?  God did this so “…that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”  Because of Jesus, there is hope!  Because of Jesus, there is meaning and purpose!  Because of Jesus there is love.  The simple words, “Jesus loves you”, brings hope and joy and salvation wherever it is spoken.  If God loves me, life is no longer meaningless, hopeless, and empty.  In Jesus there is love and freedom and peace. Jesus loves you!

• “Jesus loves me!  This I know, For the Bible tells me so.
• Little ones to him belong; They are weak, but He is strong.
• Yes, Jesus loves me!  Yes, Jesus loves me!
• Yes, Jesus loves me!  The Bible tells me so.”

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado