While in Sunday school, one of the first Bible verses children learn is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” We tell the children that this verse is the gospel of Jesus Christ in twenty-four words. It proclaims Christ crucified. God’s love knows no bounds. Because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus we have new life and a new relationship with God.

Communicating this message of God’s great love was the chief priority for Paul. Few people knew stories from Paul’s childhood. Paul didn’t brag about the ship wrecks and floggings he had experienced as he sought to spread the good news about God’s love. What people did know is what Paul told them about Jesus—that God so loved the world.

As disciples of Jesus we continue to spread Paul’s message of God’s love. It is a privilege to share this good news with people who are hurting and with a world that is broken. God’s love gives us strength and hope.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.