Measuring the value of a gift can be done in two ways; the happiness it gives the receiver and what it cost the giver. God’s gift to us (Joh 3:16), on both measures, is the most valuable we will ever receive.

Undoubtedly, God gave the thing that was most precious to him when He sent His Son into the world to save us (Joh 3:17).  Many verses in the Bible show us the unique and special relationship God had with His Son. Three times, for example, God (the Father) spoke aloud from heaven. Each occasion shows us that His Son is His most precious possession.

The first time was immediately after His Son was baptised. On that occasion God the Father publicly declared his love for His son (Mat 3:17). He also stated he is “well pleased” with him. His declaration was unique and extraordinary and shows us that His Son is his most precious possession.

The second time God repeated the declaration and added the following command: ‘listen to him’ (Mat 17:5). The Lord Jesus Christ is God’s chosen mediator (1 Tim 2:5,6) – there are no others!  Unlike the prophets and apostles who spoke on God’s behalf empowered by the Holy Spirit, the Lord Jesus Christ is different – he is God (Joh 1:1-3, 10:30). This distinct status shows us that the Lord Jesus Christ is uniquely precious to his Father.

The third time God spoke aloud was leading up to the death of his Son for us. It is an intimate moment between God the Father and God the Son:

“Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”  Joh 12:27-28

In contrast to us who have fallen short of God’s glory (Rom 3:23), the Lord Jesus Christ always glorified the name of God. Leading up to the most horrific scene this planet has ever witnessed God reassures his son “I will glorify it again” demonstrating that he would not leave his most precious possession to suffer alone.

God sacrificed the most precious thing he has, His Son, to save us from a fate too awful to imagine.  Will you accept God’s gift and thereby receive eternal life?  Will you accept God’s gift to you and change your final destination from eternal despair to eternal joy?