John 3:16

One wintry Sunday long ago, watching a football game, I saw the man sitting in the end-zone with the sign: John 3:16. Thinking that it might be good to refresh my memory, I rummaged about for a Bible and flipped through it, John… 3rd chapter…. 16th verse. It was not as I recollected (“For God so loved the world…”) but it was close, it was powerful and it was personal: “We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us — and we ought to lay down our lives for one another.” As I eventually learned, I had read from The First Letter of John, not The Gospel of John. No matter. I have long ago forgotten who won the game, but I have carried that verse in my heart ever since and for that I am grateful to God.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!

Josh