I remember the day clearly. My car had decided to give up on me, leaving me stranded and needing a tow. When the tow truck arrived, the driver was a large, imposing figure. Honestly, my first instinct was a flicker of apprehension. He was easily twice my size, and in that moment, I felt a little intimidated.
Then, something caught my eye. Inked on his forearm was a distinctive tattoo: a crown of thorns interwoven with the ichthys, the Christian fish symbol. Beneath it were the unmistakable words, “John 3:16.” Just like that, my apprehension melted away. This wasn’t just a stranger; this was a brother in Christ.
We started talking, and naturally, the conversation drifted to his tattoo. When I mentioned how much I liked it, he smiled and shared something profound. He called it an “amazing evangelism tool.”
He explained, in his slow, deliberate way, how his job often brought him into contact with people in less-than-ideal circumstances. “Sometimes,” he drawled, “I’m towing folks who aren’t having their best day, maybe even tangled up with the law. That tattoo,” he tapped his arm, “it opens doors. It starts conversations. More times than you’d think, while they’re sitting in my truck, worried about their car and everything else, we end up talking about faith, about Jesus, even when things are tough.”
Days have passed since that encounter, yet the conversation still resonates with me. It wasn’t just about my misjudgment of someone based on appearance. It was about recognizing the countless, diverse ways we can share the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ, with the world around us.
Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:19 (CEB) is clear: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Notice the beauty of that instruction – Jesus doesn’t dictate how we are to do this. There’s no single prescribed method. We are not limited to pulpits or formal sermons.
Of course, some are called to preach, to pastor, to teach Sunday school, to lead Christian education programs, or to write and speak about faith, as I do. These are vital roles in spreading the Gospel.
However, sharing our faith isn’t always about spoken words. Often, it’s about the silent sermon of our lives. It’s in our actions, our attitudes, and even in the symbols we choose to display.
Think of the person wearing a “Jesus saves” baseball cap volunteering at a local soup kitchen. Consider the woman in an “I run on Jesus and coffee” t-shirt who lets someone cut in line at the grocery store. Picture the older gentleman with a Christian bumper sticker on his car paying for the coffee of the person behind him in the drive-thru. Or, remember the football player who boldly writes John 3:16 on his eye black.
These are all threads in the rich tapestry of evangelism. They are everyday reminders, quiet testimonies, and conversation starters. The John 3:16 tattoo on that tow truck driver’s arm was another powerful thread.
The key isn’t how we share, but that we share. When opportunities arise, when those natural moments for conversation present themselves, we should be ready to take a moment – or even an hour – to share the hope and Good News that shapes our lives. It’s about giving others the chance to experience the same blessings we have found.
So, may God be with you as you go into your day, whatever path you take, and in whatever way you choose to spread the Gospel among all nations – whether with a bold “John 3:16” tattoo, a simple act of kindness, or any other way that reflects the love of Christ.
