John 3:16 The Numbers of Hope

Synopsis:

John 3:16 is an alphabet of grace, a table of contents to the Christian hope, each word a safe-deposit box of jewels. Read it again, slowly and aloud, and note the word that snatches your attention. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

God so loved this world? Heartbreakers, hope-snatchers, and dream-dousers prowl this orb. Dictators rage. Abusers inflict. Reverends think they deserve the title. But God loves. And he loves the world so much he gave his:

Declarations?
Rules?
Dicta?
Edicts?

No. The heart-stilling, mind bending, deal-making-or-breaking claim of John 3:16 is this: God gave his son…his only son. Not abstract ideas but a flesh-wrapped divinity. Why? So that “whoever believes in him shall not perish.”

Review:

John 3:16 is perhaps the best-known verse in the Bible. We’ve heard and read it countless times and think we know what it means. But do we really?

Max Lucado is one of my favorite authors, and I’ve read several of his books. In John 3:16 The Numbers of Hope, Lucado explores the verse phrase by phrase and gives us fresh insight into this familiar group of words.

Lucado has a very unique way of writing that is humorous, but which makes a profound point. This book is no different.

Here is an example of his humorous; yet profound style:

How can all religions lead to God when they are so different? We don’t tolerate such illogic in other matters. We don’t pretend that all roads lead to London or all ships sail to Australia. All flights don’t land in Rome. Imagine your response to a travel agent who claims they do. You tell him you need a flight to Rome, Italy, so he looks on his screen.

“Well, there is a flight to Sydney, Australia, departing at 6:a.m.”

“Does it go to Rome?”

“No, but it offers wonderful in-flight dining and movies.”

“But I need to go to Rome.”

“Then let me suggest Southwest Airlines.”

“Southwest Airlines flies to Rome?”

“No, but they have consistently won awards for on-time arrivals.”

You’re growing frustrated.

“I need one airline to carry me to one place: Rome.”

The agent appears offended. “Sir, all flights go to Rome.”

You know better. Different flights have different destinations. That’s not a thickheaded conclusion but an honest one. Every flight does not go to Rome. Every path does not lead to God.

When I read this passage, I thought it was funny but I also could understand the truth of what was written. That’s Max Lucado at his best.

I encourage reading this and any of Max Lucado’s books. It is time well spent!

Chris Walker

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