Let Me Tell You a Story....

A few years back, a gentleman told me that he thought the Bible was just a bunch of stories and fables similar to the Grimm’s fairy tales.
“Let me tell you a story”. “Once upon a time”….”A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away”.

Maybe you have heard these before, or maybe you have said these words as you started to tell a story. Most likely we all heard these phrases in our childhood, probably around bedtime to get us relaxed and ready for a good night’s rest. (In the Curry family my Grandpa was known to tell stories anytime of the day or when he thought anyone would listen - now you know where I get it from) If the storyteller does a good job the listeners become involved in the tale. Many of these stories had some sound teaching behind them. Usually about being good and doing the right thing etc. Certainly nothing wrong with telling or listening to stories. As a child gets older they recognize them for what they are “just stories”. That is the part which can be dangerous.

In the church I have heard for years the phrase “Today, let’s look at the story of” (you fill in the blank). Maybe Noah, Moses, Joseph, the creation, Jesus’ birth, death, or resurrection. The point being made here is that children may not distinguish between the stories of bedtime and the true stories of the Bible. This may seem like nitpicking to some and that may be a legitimate argument. However, what if instead of calling them “stories” of the Bible. We called them “accounts”. Instead of saying “Let’s look at the story of Noah” we said “Let’s look at the account of Noah”.

You may be thinking that children would not know what you are talking about if you use this word. They will ask what it means. That would present an excellent opportunity to explain that the Bible is true and so we use that word instead of “story” which may or may not be true. Perhaps then when we teach them the Bible they will come to believe it and never doubt its validity.

John 17:17 "Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth.”

Let’s stand for the truth of God’s Word in all we do and say.

--by Dan Curry

Freedom

A certain man was sitting and thinking about the actions that had put him in the circumstances he found himself. Locked up for crimes he knew he was guilty of doing. Knowing he would be there until the day of his execution, but dreaming of having his freedom. But then, something strange started happening. There were events going on that he started hearing about. The guards were talking about it and they were saying something about a man on trial. Seems this man had done things to upset the leaders of the people. They feared that all of their power was going to be taken away. Interesting, thought the man in jail, but did not think that it would affect him that much. Or would it? Maybe this man will be my fellow prisoner. Gave the man something to think about, something to pass the time.

As the day went on more and more rumors floated about the jail. The trial had been hastily put together the man had been moved between venues and had been brought back to the governor’s office. One of the nearby prisoners told the man that he heard that the one on trial was not guilty but that the leaders of the people wanted him punished. Punished how, he asked. Put to death was what he had overheard said the other fellow. This gave the man pause, he knew that he was guilty of the crimes he had committed but wondered how this other man felt. Seemingly innocent but it appeared the leaders of the people did not care.

The farthest thing from the man’s mind suddenly happened. One of the prison officials came in and told him he was being released. The man could not believe it. Why was this happening? He felt wonderful. Released? This was the best news! Later the man, Barabbas, learned that the leaders had asked for his release instead of the innocent man that they feared. He also learned the man the leaders feared was Jesus Christ.

Of course, none of these events are recorded in the scriptures. We know that Barabbas was released as was the custom. Pilate tried to get the Jews to not crucify Christ. But they shouted for our Savior to be crucified.

Matt 27:11-26

Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, "Are You the King of the Jews?" And Jesus said to him, "{It is as} you say." And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He made no answer. Then Pilate said to Him, "Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?" And He did not answer him with regard to even a {single} charge, so that the governor was quite amazed. Now at {the} feast the governor was accustomed to release for the multitude {any} one prisoner whom they wanted. And they were holding at that time a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. When therefore they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" For he knew that because of envy they had delivered Him up. And while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, "Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him." But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas, and to put Jesus to death. But the governor answered and said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release for you?" And they said, "Barabbas." Pilate said to them, "Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said, "Let Him be crucified!" And he said, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they kept shouting all the more, saying, "Let Him be crucified!" And when Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of this Man's blood; see {to that} yourselves." And all the people answered and said, "His blood {be} on us and on our children!" Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he delivered Him to be crucified.

Luke 23:17-19

[Now he was obliged to release to them at the feast one prisoner.] But they cried out all together, saying, "Away with this man, and release for us Barabbas!" (He was one who had been thrown into prison for a certain insurrection made in the city, and for murder.)

Jesus died for everyone, even this man Barabbas, a man who had a new start. We are not told anything else about Barabbas from the scriptures. But it makes one wonder what he did with his life after these events. We do know that because of God’s plan for salvation that even he could have the hope of heaven. Are you thinking of Christ today? Barabbas did that day, the day he was granted his freedom. Not because he deserved it, but so that the plan of salvation could be fully implemented. Barabbas may not have thought about Jesus again, but I doubt it. How could he not. How about you? Are you so caught up in the day to day business of living that you do not think of the one who can set you free from sin? Or perhaps you have obeyed the gospel, but let other things interfere and do not put Christ as the center of your life. Make the right choice every single day. Think about the Christ who died to give us freedom from the bondage of sin.

-Dan Curry