Grief

Sometimes the news comes quick. Sometimes the news comes slow. No matter how or when it comes, grief travels in the wake of the news. Grief is heavy, weighty, a burden, especially when it involves someone deeply loved. Grief is not meant to be carried alone. It’s too heavy and may last a while—and that’s ok. That’s what family and friends are for, to share the load. Jesus stood outside the tomb of his friend and wept but He did not weep alone. It was a deep, human moment. “ Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted ” (Matt 5:4). If anyone knows how we feel in grief, it’s Him. But His grief did not linger long, as at the mention of his name, Lazarus came forth. We are not meant to dwell in grief, but should leave room enough for it. Let it run its course. Like the song says, “ Every Storm Runs Out Of Rain .” Another song says, “ The storm We will dance as it breaks The storm It will give as it takes And all of our pain is washed away Don't cry or be afraid Some things...

3:16

This is perhaps the most recognizable set of numbers in the world. Everyone seems to know to what they refer--that passage in the New Testament book of John which says, "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." What an awesome message!

But these numbers are not a magic formula. They are a reference point to easily locate and refer to a specific text. Why do I bring this up? Because some people think there is great power in these numbers and this is not correct. Just write them on a piece of cardboard and hold them in front of a TV camera . . .

I overheard a recent conversation in which a young Bible college student was being mentored. They were laying out a strategy in which the student could teach a series. "Hey, why not the 3:16's of the Bible! John 3:16 is such a great text and the numbers can drive students to other great truths in the Bible," the student reasoned to his mentor. So together they started in Genesis and made their way through all the 3:16's of the Bible--rejecting passage after passage after passage because in most cases, there was just "nothing to teach" in the 3:16's.

My heart sank for two reasons: first, they expected something great and saw nothing of value. They were disappointed in the 3:16's of the Bible. They had determined most to be "not teachable"; second, they had no clue they approached and filtered the text from a man- centered perspective.

All the 3:16's are great as are the 5:22's and 12:34's. 2 Tim 3:16 (and 17) attests to that.

I was sad for yet another two more reasons: first, this is the direction Biblical training is headed (?); and second, the student and mentor both abandoned the project in 15 minutes.

Somebody needs to explain all the 3:16's. All of them.

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