I heard this story once and I was recently reminded of it. There was an old man who tottered across a stage toward the smiling Master of Ceremony (MC) up to a familiar podium. There had already been three speakers - a seminary professor, pastor, and missionary - but the audience remained on their feet applauding his approach. The MC began the discussion, asking the old man a question: "What is the most profound concept you have gleaned from your many years of study?” The old man paused and surveyed the quieting audience as they took their seats. He had taught many years from that very podium, written text books for graduate study, and articles acclaimed and debated around the world. The audience was familiar to him as students, colleagues, administrators, and others with whom he had corresponded but never met. His voice, clear and strong, said simply ”Jesus loves me, this I know because the Bible tells me so!”
Two thousand years before, a learned teacher had asked Jesus a similar question. Jesus’ response was “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matt. 22:37). This is termed the “greatest commandment.” It reduced the 613 Torah rules into one 19-word sentence.
Recently, Pastor Matthew did a masterful job of sharing the simple gospel as Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 15:1-11.
These are all examples of simplifying the gospel into understandable and relatable messages. We all need to frequently remind ourselves of the essence of our faith and be able and willing to share it as we go through life. Do you know and live the gospel? With whom can you share it?
