One Verse

I’ve often linked specific references to Bible Gateway. Last night I ran across their blog giving the top ten verses of 2012. Top verse was:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

Naturally, there was a link to the previous year’s where John 3:16 was second and the first was:

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV)

In 2010, we were back to John 3:16 being at the top of the list.

It’s a wonderful verse that contains references to the entire Bible. Speak it to someone who has no knowledge of the Bible, never having heard this verse, and you’ll have an opportunity to begin in Genesis 1:1 and explain how we believe in a single deity. Speak of how God created the heavens and the earth. Talk about how He is the source of all, that without Him, nothing was made.

Speak of His infinite love and how He has shown that love through His word to the point that in 1 John we twice read, God is love - the very definition of love.

Beginning with he gave, we can move from Adam through Abraham into Moses moving right along to the prophets telling of promises given and fulfilled.

An explanation of His unspeakable gift, his only begotten Son, must include His birth, His ministry, His death and cannot stop at His resurrection.

The invitation is all inclusive, whosoever. Any exclusion is a personal decision not over-ridden by God.

That single resurrection affects us all, and provides eternal options when Revelation describes the end of time. Resurrection gives us cause to reflect, to reject perish in favor of everlasting life. That choice is available to all.

Believing is a requirement -- not set by a church, not imposed by exclusionary ministers but laid out openly by God inspired scripture.

Read the chapter – not just that one awesome and beloved verse. Find out to whom Jesus was speaking, why the man came to see Him, the answers Jesus gave. Put the verse in context. It increases our knowledge when we do, but it doesn't change the message of the verse as it stands alone. As someone mentioned in another thought today, “It is what it is.”

Revisit this favorite, must-read, awesome, filling – words fail me – verse. Then talk about it with others. It will provide blessings.