power of story

So let me temper my comments from yesterday, the “I disagree that the cross is the most important thing part.” I believe the cross is huge. It vital to who we are, but without the resurrection, the cross really means nothing. Without the resurrection, Jesus would have been just another victim of injustice. Because of the resurrection, we have life. He conquered death through the raising again, not through staying dead. They are equally important. And, like Kyle said, we don’t have a symbol for an empty tomb anywhere (and the fact that Jesus isn’t on the cross is not enough to say we are demonstrating resurrection with that, he would have come off of the cross no matter what). Again, not downplaying the cross here, and my arguments are in no way a reflection of why we don’t have a cross up right now. Just creating conversation for the purpose of growth.

I think that sometimes we tend to focus ourselves on the cross and the death more than we focus on the resurrection and the life.

In addition to this, (the death and resurrection being the focal point) they are nonetheless part of His story which one might argue (perhaps referring to myself, but who knows) are equally important. Story was happening for generations before the death and resurrection. The ark, and the crossing of the Jordan, and the commandments and the killing of the giant are part of the story.

So are the less examined parts like Enoch walking with God and pleasing Him. David going crazy. Isaiah walking around naked for a few years and Hosea marrying a hooker/prostitute/whore, whatever you want to call her.

It was all part of the story. God didn’t just drop the death or the resurrection in and say, “Here you go. Hope that works for you.” He weaved it into story. It doesn’t make sense without the build up of previous amazing story.

And in this story, we find identity. Identity with a people group who were continually playing the part of the whore and running from the faithful bridegroom. Identity in death with the great “I AM.” Identity in life with Hope of Glory, Yeshua, Messiah.

Story Shapes Identity.