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News | Nate Talks. . . Chapter and Verse

6 January 2009

Nathan Morgan Locke, Christianity Explored's Youth Evangelist, kicks off the first in a new series of CY devotionals

“I hate homonumerals!”

You may not have said it but you’ve almost certainly thought it, after trying to text your housemate Brian to tell him you were home and to ask him to get some milk:

“Hi Asian, I’m gone. Could you sick us a riot me semi skinned?” (scroll down to see what you were actually aiming to type).

When you forget to pay enough attention to your phone’s predictive text you produce what's known as a ‘homonumeral’: same buttons, different word. Very annoying.

The term obviously comes from the prefix ‘homo’ meaning the same and the word ‘numeral’ meaning written symbol of a number. Personally, I prefer to use the term ‘homonumeral’ to refer to something a lot less frustrating: passages of the Bible which have the same chapter and verse number.

Easiest memory verse ever

Though it might sound like the most boring thing in the world, there’s a lot of fun to be had finding passages of the Bible that share the same chapter and verse number. For a start, it makes the verse easier to remember but also there are some really great phrases to think about.

From the obvious Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1 “In the beginning…” to the hilarious Judges 16:16: “With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was tired to death.”

You’ve got the awesomely encouraging Exodus 14:14, which Moses spoke to rally the Israelites before they crossed through the Red Sea, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.” And perhaps the easiest memory verse of all time - but I'm open to challengers - 1 Chronicles 1:1 “Adam, Seth, Enosh”.

As we begin the CY devotionals it might be a good idea to start with a biblical homonumeral and the very one with which we start the CY course, Mark 1:1: “The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

It’s so encouraging to let that verse bounce around in your head for a little while. A quick reminder of what Christianity is all about. ‘Gospel’ means good news. The whole of Christianity is in essence no more - and no less - than the good news about Jesus.

Anointed one

When you have a little longer to ponder, you can think about each word used to describe him. His name, Jesus, Greek for the Hebrew Jeshua or Joshua meaning the Lord saves. His title, Christ, the Messiah, God’s chosen and anointed King, the one on whom the Spirit of God is poured out in abundance, and his biography as the Son of God, the eternal Word and the beloved of the Most High God.

So, whatever you do today, wherever you go, whoever you text, why not fill your heart and mind with the first words of Mark’s Gospel: “The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

And that original message? “Hi Brian, I’m home. Could you pick up a pint of semi-skimmed?”

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