A Closing Prayer
Many people,
if asked what their favorite verse in the Bible is, will agree on 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.”
This verse
has become so popular that author Max Lucado has written a book and a series of
study guides about it. You can get the words “John 3:16” inscribed
on jewelry, coffee cups, bumper stickers, wall plaques, bible covers and tote
bags.
As a single
verse, perhaps that says it all, but later in the same chapter, you will find
the same message restated in slightly different words, and then, just one verse
away, another important statement which is probably the second most important
statement found in the New Testament.
Let’s
read John 10:27-30 together:
27 My
sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I
give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone
snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has
given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to
snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I
and My Father are one.”
As you see,
verses 27 and 28 say that if you follow Jesus you will have eternal life and
not perish, a restatement of John 3:16. Then in verse 30, the answer to the
question that many people are asking – “Who is Jesus?” Is
Jesus the son of God? Is Jesus one third of the Holy Trinity? Is Jesus a man?
Is Jesus God? Yes, He is, according to John 10:30: “I and my Father are
one.” This message is repeated in John 14:24: “He who does not love
Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the
Father’s who sent Me.”
Believing in these
verses is what locks in your faith as a Christian. Other religions claim that
Jesus was just a major prophet, a mortal. The look toward God for their
salvation, which will not come until they understand what you now know, that
Jesus is Lord. The Jews and the Muslims are two very large religions that need
to accept Christ as their savior. As you now know, this fact is clearly stated
in the Bible. What more proof do you need?
Let us
pray:
Dear Lord,
let us be known as the faithful followers of Christ. We do not require miracles
of you; our faith is sufficient proof that you will lead our flock with the
hand of God. Knowing that we shall have eternal life with our creator gives us
the courage to make the best of this temporary life you have given us on earth.
Guard our faith and keep our path straight so that we may sit at your feet in
the