J33-3
This month it’s 20 years since rock band U2 released their album 'All That You Can’t Leave Behind’. There are some great tracks on it including the uplifting anthem ‘Beautiful Day’.
Do you remember the album cover? The arty black and white photograph was taken at the Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris. On the left-hand side of the cover on a digital notice board you can clearly read this: ‘J33-3’.
You may think it is a flight number, but it was overlaid on the photograph and is actually a Bible reference. It’s well known that some of the members of U2 are deeply spiritual, in particular front man Bono who says he has a faith in the Christian God.
So, what does ‘J33-3’ refer to? Well its Jeremiah 33:3 which reads...
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
Bono referred to it as ‘God's phone number’! This short and punchy verse is quite profound and worthy of being printed on 100,000’s of album covers.
Jeremiah wrote this, as God directed, at a time when Israel was being defeated by the Babylonians. God spoke a message of hope in a time of trouble. God’s invitation was clear, turn to me and things will be different.
God always offers hope in times of trouble. Nearly seven months since coronavirus changed the world, there is a great need for hope.
Great news! The God of the Bible is a God of hope and He is waiting for you. Let me encourage you to give Him a ‘call’ to today...
Also, why not check out our live stream service every Sunday at 10:30am, simply go to www.hopebasingstoke.org/livestream
Stay safe & God bless
Gary Bastin - Hope Community Church leader