Monday December 22, 2008

I Couldn’t Believe What I Was Hearing

I was in a small specialty shop on Saturday afternoon, hoping to pick up the last of my Christmas gifts, when it happened.

The shop (a fairly new one) is only a few miles from our house, but I had never been inside.  I immediately noticed short Bible quotes and references (like John 15:5, which I later learned is the shop’s theme verse) neatly painted on small boards, and placed discreetly throughout the store.  I like to patronize Christian-owned places when possible, and determined to find a gift in the shop.

There were two other couples in the store – probably in their sixties.  I soon overheard one of the men say, “That reminds me of John 3:16.”  He then asked the other three, “Do you know what John 3:16 means?”

None of them knew the answer.  Then one of the men said, “I think it has something to do with football.”

I looked toward the two couples – trying not to look surprised – checking to see if they were joking.

Then one of the men walked over to me and asked, “Do you know what John 3:16 means.  I replied, “I sure do.” and proceeded to quote:  

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

He said, “That sounds familiar.  So, why do people hold up John 3:16 signs at football games?”

I replied, “I expect it’s so people will check out what it means.”

He walked back to the others, and they soon left the store.

~~~

I was surprised that four people in their sixties (in the United States) did not know anything about John 3:16. 

~~~

The owner said, “It sure proves we cannot assume that most people know the basics of the gospel.”