The weathered old Ukrainian village snuggled in alongside the rugged mountain range. On the muddy streets two Canadian visitors walked toward the general store. They were there to bring humanitarian relief and Bibles to rural areas in the winter of 2002.
Inside the little store the dried fish, a few canned goods, bread and fresh, local apples sat on the worn shelves. An ancient abacus sat patiently, ready to calculate the little grocery bills.
The villagers were here, waiting for the two visitors. Some needed clothes or a little money for medications. “I’ve even brought glasses. After we read a verse from the Bible, we’ll go to the truck and get them.”
Little children pushed at each other as they held onto mom or dad. Old grandmothers peered out from wrinkled features at the strangers who spoke through an interpreter. They listened attentively.
“In this beautiful verse in John chapter three we learn about God’s love for us. And the proof of His love was this. He sent His Son Jesus into our world to visit us. He didn’t come to condemn us. He didn’t have to. The Bible says we are condemned and guilty already. God’s courtroom has already closed the case. We are all sinners. But here’s what God did. He came Himself into our world to lay down His life for our sins.”
Some eyes filled with tears. They had not read these verses before. Some had always thought that Jesus was merely a good example for us to follow. Now they were understanding. He was a Savior the Savior.
“I guess we really do need to be saved, don’t we!” a man exclaimed. Afterward, they surrounded the little truck. Old tired eyes tried on glasses. First this pair and then the next. Finally one pair seemed to help just a little.
The grim-looking seventy-year-old lady picked up a pair. A smile broke over her face and she spoke excitedly.
“What is she saying?” the visitor asked the interpreter.
“Oh, she says now she can see the mountaintops!”
The beautiful leaves had painted the mountains around the village in natural splendor. She drank it in, looking in every direction and repeating, “I can see the mountains. Beautiful!”
Meanwhile, other faces were glowing as they used their new reading glasses to see the new Bibles they had just received. They were looking at the splendor of God’s words. They were also seeing things they had not known before. Do you know what it means: “God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:1717For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:17))?
Take off your glasses. Close your eyes. Now think about it. What do these words mean to you? Are you saved?