John 3:16

You probably can quote it.  It’s been referred to as “the Gospel in a nutshell.”  I memorized John 3:16 during a boyhood Vacation Bible School:  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”  This verse alone, if acted upon, would be enough to lead one to salvation.  Its components bring life.  Allow me to dissect it for you.

“For God…”

This speaks of Divine Origin.  Our salvation was set into motion immediately after the fall of man, when Adam and Eve fell by was of transgression – when they disobeyed God.  The Bible tells us that the fall brought sin into the world and with sin came death.  But God orchestrated a plan to win lost mankind back to Himself!  Genesis 3:15 relays God’s prophetic intent. “And I will put enmity between you and the woman.  And between your seed and her seed.  He shall bruise you on the head.  And you shall bruise him on the heel.”

“So loved…”

This speaks of Divine Intensity.  God didn’t “just love,” He SO-O-O-O loved!  Do you sense the intensity of God’s resolve to win back lost mankind?

“The world…”

This speaks of the Divine Target.  You and I are the objects of God’s love.  He targeted us to be saved!  God’s plan was to not only win back this physical planet, but more wonderfully, each one of us.  Put your name inside this phrase and rejoice!  “For God so loved Roger Loomis…” Wow, what love!

“That He gave…”

This speaks of Divine Strategy.    God is a giver.  His nature is to give.  He would give His only Son on the cross to win back a lost and dying world.

“His only Son…”

This speaks of a Divine Person.  Jesus is the Son of God, the only One qualified to save us from sin.  He is God and He is the author of eternal life!       

“That whoever believes on Him…”

This speaks of the Divine prerequisite.  Many ask, “What must I do to have eternal life?”  And many are amazed that the Gospel is so simple.  Placing our faith in the precious blood of Jesus to forgive sin sounds too easy.  But it’s true! 

“Will not perish…”

This speaks of Divine protection.  Those who place their faith in Christ are delivered from eternal judgment.  Remember, God’s wrath toward sin was satisfied on the cross when our sinless Savior gave His life.  We escape His wrath and make heaven our home, not hell!

But have eternal life.”

This speaks of the Divine promise.  God promises eternal life for those who place their faith in Him.  He alone can save us!  And He alone has promised us a place in heaven after our life on earth is over.

Now you know why John 3:16 is so often quoted.  It outlines the essence of the Gospel!  Have you place your faith in Christ?

My Teacher

Do you remember your elementary school teachers?  I do!  At Jefferson Elementary School I had in chronological order: Mrs. Baber, Miss Knapp, Mrs. Gibbs, Mrs. Kasefang, Mrs. DelPriore, Mrs. Haines, Miss Hamilton, and Miss Johnson.  All of them were fine teachers, but I remember Miss Carolyn Johnson with great fondness.

She was in her late 30’s when I walked into her classroom that September day in 1967.  I took note immediately that this woman was different than most. As I recall, most of my other teachers smiled little during the first six weeks of school, but Miss Johnson met each of us with a smile and a hug.  Most notably, she possessed a distinct walk, which I assumed was a “teacher thing.”  After all, Mrs. Haines had also walked with a limp.  One day, a fellow classmate imitated her walk for the entire class to see, when she suddenly appeared in the doorway.  He subsequently spent quite a long time leaning against the chalkboard with his nose buried in a small circle!

Miss Johnson made learning fun.  We never knew what to expect!  One day our class was learning about the sinus cavity.  Miss Johnson tried and tried to make us understand about mucus.  After several failed attempts, she yelled, “In other words, snot!”  Sixth graders understand that!

Another day, I was standing on the school playground when suddenly a football struck the back of my neck with such force that it knocked me to the ground.  Miss Johnson came running and immediately began rubbing my hurting neck.  Because sixth graders do not cry, I fought back tears.  To protect my dignity and to insure my welfare, Miss Johnson laid my head on her shoulder.  I then cried profusely and literally soaked her blouse.  But no one knew.  Having the assurance that I was okay, she winked at me and said, “You’re going to be just fine.  Run along.”

Some years back, I was saddened to learn that my wonderful teacher has passed away.  She certainly died before her time.  My life is better because of her!  Hope Community Church honors all teachers, specifically our current Jefferson Elementary School teachers.  Thanks for all you do to impact young lives!

The Empty Tomb

Bible writers often used directional words when describing places and events.  “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers…”(Luke 10:30).  “Who can ascend the hill of the Lord” (Psalm 24:3)? 

Lori and I were privileged to travel to the Holy Land in December, 1999.  We saw the lofty heights of Jerusalem and the terraced slopes of Mount Zion.  In all probability, David’s palace was situated on one of these slopes, thus enabling him to view the terraces below.  Had he not been looking down from his rooftop, perhaps his tryst with Bathsheba would never have occurred.  One translation says he “looked down and saw…”

Our tour included a bus ride from Jerusalem down to Jericho.  We held our collective breath as the bus wound its way down the narrow road.  Several times it appeared that we were going to fall off the edge, as there were no guardrails. 

Israel is an intense, complex, and absolutely fascinating country.  Although it is a small nation, even tiny, it is densely packed with immense geographical diversity and a long, rich history.  Fractious politics, along with religious and cultural differences exist that defy belief.  Israel is home to three major world religions.  Most profoundly, it is the land of the Bible.

It’s intriguing to actually visualize specific locations while reading my Bible.  I stood near the spot in Caesarea Philippi where Peter made his great confession, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16).  I stood outside the foundation of Peter’s home in Capernaum wondering if Jesus ever slept there. 

I read the Christmas story and I see the Shepherd’s Field outside of Bethlehem, where the angelic host delivered earth’s greatest birth announcement.  When I read of Jesus carrying His own cross, I picture the Via Dolorosa, the “way of the cross.” and I remember my walk.  When I read about earth’s final battle against evil, I see the Valley of Jezreel, a narrow, peaceful plain.  One day, blood will flow like a river where cattle now graze.  Lush, irrigated fields now produce bumper crops.

I read about the show down between Elijah and the 450 prophets of Baal, and remember standing on that very slope.  Jesus’ early ministry took place around the Sea of Galilee.  I rode on a boat much like those of His day, and I remember the Sea Walker and his fishermen-disciples.  I marvel that the Sea of Galilee is really a large lake.

Going down to the Dead Sea, I picture a man lying on his lounge chair with his legs crossed and his arms folded above his head.  I floated in the waters of the Dead Sea in that very posture – only without the chair!  It is virtually impossible to sink in that body of mineral-laden water.  I stood in the Garden of Gethsemane beside olive trees that bent low the night Jesus prayed, “Not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36b).  I contemplated the Savior’s agonizing death as I viewed Golgotha, the “place of the skull.”  Tour buses now park beneath its rocky cliff. 

However, nothing moved me more than the garden situated just yards away from Golgotha.  The empty tomb of Joseph of Arimathea testifies, “He is not here; He has risen” (Luke 24:6).  My salvation was secured when the Holy Spirit breathed into the lifeless corpse of Jesus of Nazareth.  Now we sing with conviction, “Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o’er His foes…

Calvary speaks of His death. The empty tomb confirms His resurrection, and the Mount of Ascension reminds me that He’s coming back in like manner that He left.  The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has changed countless lives, including mine.  Through this tiny nation all the nations of the earth have been blessed.  In the closing days of time God’s power will be seen in and through this precious real estate. 

Hope Community Church is tentatively planning a trip to Israel during September, 2018.  Be looking for further details on our website.