What is a story you tell over and over again? For me, the story happened in May 2018. I had just finished my sophomore year of college and had an opportunity to be part of an archaeological excavation in Caesarea, Israel. On the last day of the dig, I was cleaning rocks, and one rock was significantly heavier than the others. I spent some extra time cleaning this supposed rock, and features started to appear: An ear! A helmet! A face! It was a statue head. I (rightfully) lost my mind and ran to the rest of the crew to celebrate. It was later identified as a second-century Amazonian warrior woman head bust.
As cool as that moment was to find a 1,700+-year-old piece of history, it made me reflect. Here is an idol of worship from a long-lost civilization buried for nearly two millennia. At the end of the day, it was rock and myth. It might be “cool,” but it cannot hear my prayers. It cannot bring me comfort and strength in a time of need, and it definitely cannot bring the dead back to life.
When the church in Antioch was looking for encouragement, they asked Paul for wisdom (Acts 13:15). Paul began to retell the story of Israel, the story of their ancestors, of triumph and loss, and of this guy named Jesus. But it was a different story than any story ever told before! In Acts 13:30, Paul shares the Good News, “But God raised [Jesus] from the dead!” The story of Jesus is a different story. It is not just something we hear and are entertained by. It is the story of the God who conquered death itself, and a story we are invited into. YOU have a place in this story. Are you looking for encouragement, peace, power, and hope? Step into THIS story.
Reflection:
- What are some of your go-to stories you share with others or seek comfort in (real or fictional)?
- How is the story of Jesus different than those stories? What does it mean that you are invited into this story?