A Better Story

At our church summer holiday club - in between games, crafts and songs - the children will hear a true story from the Bible that’s thousands of years old and still stands the test of time. It’s a story that so many of us need to hear. It’s not just a good story, or an exciting one; it’s a better story than any of us can imagine. In this day and age of fake news, sensationalist headlines and Z list celebrities, is it any wonder that so many people have stopped believing in true stories or Good News? It is a story for all people whatever their background at all times.

James felt relaxed and was able to say to his friend just what was worrying him. It was nothing specific, just a deep sense of being unsettled. He had made silly mistakes in his life that still bugged him. He had not bothered to work at school, but then few of his friends had. His subsequent job as a builder wasn’t very satisfying. His marriage had not been a success either and he admitted that he had looked for consolation elsewhere. This dalliance had left him feeling guilty. He felt lonely in spite of having people around him. He had even tried to escape the worries and guilt by drinking too much and that had really messed up both his marriage and his job. Nothing seems to give much peace, there are just temporary respites that last too short a time.

“I just feel empty and weary and I don’t know what the answer is.”

His friend listened intently and then suggested something novel,

“Will you come with me and listen to a guy who is visiting our town. Everyone is raving about him.”

That afternoon the two went to a field at the end of the town where a large crowd had gathered. They heard the clear voice of a preacher,

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how you do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”1

James was fascinated, it was as if the preacher were talking directly to him.

“He’s a great preacher, but why does he put himself so much in the centre of everything?”

I’m sure you will have gathered by now that James was living in northern Israel nearly two thousand years ago. He was listening to Jesus. His question would have been answered if he had heard what Jesus had said just before. He had made an astounding claim, he claimed to be the embodiment of God himself. Jesus had said,

“The Father has given me all these things to do and say. This is a unique Father-Son operation, coming out of the Father and Son intimacies and knowledge. No-one knows the Son the way the Father does. But I am not keeping it to myself; I’m ready to go over it line by line with anyone ready to listen.”1

God’s message has never changed. It was great news for those days just as it is for us for today. If like James, you feel that there is something seriously missing in your life, it could be the forgiveness, purpose and power that God longs to give to all people who will submit to him and his Son. If you would like to investigate the claims of Jesus and ‘go over it line by line,’ please will you join us at a Christianity Explored meal or get hold of a copy of ‘Cure for Life’ that is available in Christchurch Baldock and local bookshops but whatever you do please don’t delay doing something. A much better story is available for you.

1Quote taken from Eugene Peterson’s translation of Matthew 11:28 and 27 in ‘The Message’