Good stories matter.
They can tell us truths that drill themselves deep into our core.
As Easter approaches, many pastors will be tempted to tell a feel-good story of spiritual renewal, personal growth and universal hope to our larger-than-usual congregations.
That’s a good story.
But I want to encourage you to tell a better story.
Tell the story of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
Not as a metaphor for change and hope. As a real-life narrative.
Get Wrecked by the Cross Again
Recently, in a church discipleship group, we were studying the Gospel of John together. After reading the account of the last supper, crucifixion and resurrection, I asked a group member how it went for him.
“It wrecked me – again”, he said. “I was spellbound. Everything else faded into black as that story came to life for me.”
That’s it, I thought. We need to let our lives be wrecked by the cross. Again.
As pastors, we need to resist the temptation to trade down for good, but lesser stories.
Even if I didn’t believe it to be literally true, I’d let Jesus’ story stand on its own simply because it’s so much better than any other story – or any other version of his story – that I can create.
Thankfully, it also has the added bonus of being literally true, which makes the greatest story of all even better.
The Resurrection Is a Better Story
Metaphor is powerful. Myth is deep and penetrating.
But reality is more powerful, deep and penetrating.
- How much Jesus loves me is a better story than how much I’m trying to love myself
- The greatness of the creator is a better story than the reflected greatness of the creation
- Grace is a better story than success
- The way of the cross is a better story than winning an argument
- The resurrection is a better story than anything
And – one more thing – it’s true.
On Good Friday and Easter let’s get out of the way and let the best story of all stand on its own.
(Photo by Martin Robles| Unsplash)
