On Sunday, March 16, I will join with thousands of other pastors in preaching the most famous verse in the Bible. Few verses in the Bible have left as profound a mark on history and culture as John 3:16.
“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.” (John 3:16, KJV)
It’s been called “the Gospel in a nutshell.” It’s the most quoted, memorized, and displayed verse in the world. From sports stadiums to billboards, coffee cups to tattoos, graffiti walls to war zones, John 3:16 has been plastered, preached, and proclaimed everywhere.
A Verse That Has Shaped History
Since the early centuries of Christianity, John 3:16 has been a cornerstone of evangelism and theology. The verse encapsulates the heart of the Christian message in a single sentence: God’s love, Jesus’ sacrifice, and the promise of eternal life.
- Martin Luther called this verse “the Bible in miniature,” emphasizing grace over religious works.
- Revival preachers like Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, and Charles Spurgeon used John 3:16 to call thousands to faith.
- No preacher made greater use of John 3:16, at least in modern history, than Billy Graham. He often built entire sermons around this verse to reach millions.
John 3:16 in Pop Culture
In the 1970s and ‘80s, one man turned John 3:16 into a cultural phenomenon: Rainbow Man. Rollen Stewart, a born-again Christian, began holding up John 3:16 signs at major sporting events. His rainbow-colored wig and well-placed banners made the verse a household sight in stadiums, Super Bowls, and even the Olympics.
A Verse That Still Speaks Today
John 3:16 has survived wars, cultural shifts, and theological debates. It remains the first verse many children memorize, the verse found in Gideon Bibles across the world, and the verse that has been translated into over 1,500 languages.
Whether in a cathedral, a prison cell, a football field, or a whispered prayer in a moment of crisis, John 3:16 continues to change lives.
I hope the message contained in that verse has changed yours.
Thank you for Reading!
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