Journey with Acts 2:23

 

Greetings Everyone, 

Jesus was given to you, and with the help of those who don’t know the law, you put him to death by nailing him to a cross. But this was God’s plan which he had made long ago; he knew all this would happen.  44.2.23

-

I wonder how often this verse is used to summarize the Christian Faith? It seems like it would be a great one for us to use when we are trying to reach out to those around us.  I often thought about using this verse in a sermon when I was working as a minister, but the preference was more along the lines of using John 3:16. 

I've always liked that verse, but it is used so much. I like to think using a verse like Acts 2:23 would be just as meaningful as John 3:16 when trying to teach someone else about the Christian Faith. Why? Honestly, it reminds me that regardless of whats going on around me, God already has a plan and that he knows the end result.

While John 3:16 tells me that Gods plan is to give all those who believe eternal life. The above verse tells me more about how it went down. It tells me that Jesus was given over to those that did not understand the Law of God. It then tells me that Jesus was killed on the cross. Finally, it tells me that this was part of His plan from the beginning. I honestly just get more out of it. 

Don't get me wrong, John 3:16 has its own merit, and there is nothing wrong with using it at all. The purpose I'm building up to here though is that there is more than one or two verses in the bible that we can use to teach others about our faith. Where one person will relate more to the details like me, another person may connect more with something else. 

It really is okay to use a less common verse to help others see why we belong to Christ. We each have our own emotional grit. Finding the verses in scripture, as long as used within the context they are written, can have a deeper, more personal, impact on those around us. If we connect more with a verse that is less popular, then by all means use it to help someone else see what you have come to love as well.

Thanks for visiting 'The Gathering Room,'

M.J.E