THE POWER OF STORY

                When I was in school, I did not particularly like history. It seemed boring; a never ending list of names and dates to which I could not relate. A few years ago, I discovered the writing of Jeff Shaara. Jeff writes historical novels. He thoroughly researches the people and events and then puts them together in story form. He has made history come alive for me. If my history books, in school, had been like his writing, it would have been a pleasure to study history. I tell you this to illustrate the power of story. Jeff takes real people and real events and weaves them together in story form, to invite you into their lives.

                Jeff Shaara is a master story teller. There was another master story teller who lived a long time ago, in a distant land from ours. His name was Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus often used story to make the truth he was teaching come alive. He did it in the form of parables. Jesus used parables in a variety of ways to accomplish his ultimate purpose; proclaiming the Kingdom of God. Jesus used parables to raise interest, to make truth understandable, and to test people’s hearts.

                The religious teachers of Jesus’ day were like the history teachers I had in school. They proclaimed truth, but in a way that made it inaccessible to common people. What the teachers said sounded profound and lofty, but it didn’t relate to where people lived. Jesus was very different. When Jesus spoke, people were drawn in.  When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. Matthew 7:28-29

                One of Jesus’ main tools was parables. Parables are stories that relate a specific truth. Each parable is intended to teach one thing. Jesus was a master at using this form of story. The common people were thrilled by Jesus’ stories, because they could relate to them. The Pharisees were often offended by Jesus’ stories, because they understood the message he was giving. The disciples were sometimes confused by Jesus’ stories, but Jesus used them as a teaching tool to develop their faith.

                One day the disciples came to Jesus and asked his about his use of parables.

                The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?" He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. This is why I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.

                In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: " 'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.'

                But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. Matthew 13:10-17

                So what does this have to do with us? We have been called, by Jesus, to be story tellers as well. We have a very important message to proclaim, about Jesus’ redeeming grace. We can proclaim it like a set of facts, which usually leaves people cold. Or we can present it through the story of our life encounter with Jesus. Peter encourages us to always be ready to tell our story.

                But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3:15-16

                To do this, we need to know our own story. We need to be able to craft our story in a way that makes sense to those who hear it. Jesus’ parables were so effective, because he put them in a context that people could relate to. We need to do the same thing. Paul instructs us to make our story inviting not excluding. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:5-6

                Before we can present our story, we need to listen to other people’s story. Everyone has a story to tell. Everyone wants someone to listen to their story. As we listen to other people’s stories, we can craft our story to meet them where they are. That is what Jesus did. He did it with Nicodemus, the woman at the well, and the rich young ruler. Not everyone will accept our story, but if we can show how our story relates to their story, they are more likely to listen.

                Story is powerful. It has the potential to change people’s lives. When Jesus told us that we would be His witnesses to the world, He was calling us to tell our story.