Scripture

Our verse for today comes from John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Background

What do these all have in common? “Call me Ishmael.” “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.” “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.” “It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.” “When shall we three meet again, in thunder, lightning, or in rain?” “Once upon a time there were four little rabbits, and their names were Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter.” The answer is, of course, that these quotes all are famous first lines from literature. And being that literature has been around for centuries, it is no great revelation that so many more books and first lines have been written and forgotten than have been penned and forever remembered. But it’s not for a lack of trying. I imagine that authors throughout the ages have spent a disproportionate amount of time on the first line of their work than they have on any other. Yet, the list of the timeless classics is amazingly short when compared to the whole of written literature.

Application

Now, I do not know why so many have tried and failed. But I think I do know why they have tried. They each wrote what they did because they wanted to be remembered. They wanted their piece to go beyond themselves. And to accomplish that, they needed to make an impression. They needed to capture the reader from the first sentence and whet their appetite for what lie ahead. Today’s verse is memorable, perhaps more memorable than any in scripture. And there’s a reason for that. It reveals the heart of God, the plan of God, and His call of man. It’s the gospel, perhaps the Bible, in one verse. And it’s a message that was before time, and it will last through eternity. If that doesn’t make an impression, then nothing will.

Charge

As we seek Him today, focus your attention on God’s love for you, and remember that His love is no less for those who don’t follow Him. Let that call you to share what you have with another.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words