Never heard before
Thursday, January 18th, 2007
For some people, the opportunity comes around every day. For me, it happens about twice a year. And when it does, I tremble.
It’s when you tell the story of Jesus and they hear of his death for the first time. And then they read about his resurrection.
No other Jesus-event seems as foreign, as strange or bizarre, as does the resurrection. Many people can handle a virgin birth. A miracle man? It’s a stretch of the imagination, but doable. But a murdered man who comes back to life, tells his friends to touch him and asks them for a bite of fish… This is indeed foreign territory.
When Paul brought it up in Athens, the Greeks slapped their thighs and wandered off. But others… They ponder. They wonder. They ask themselves if perhaps, just maybe, it might be true.
And we watch expectantly. And we pray.
It’s when you tell the story of Jesus and they hear of his death for the first time. And then they read about his resurrection.
No other Jesus-event seems as foreign, as strange or bizarre, as does the resurrection. Many people can handle a virgin birth. A miracle man? It’s a stretch of the imagination, but doable. But a murdered man who comes back to life, tells his friends to touch him and asks them for a bite of fish… This is indeed foreign territory.
When Paul brought it up in Athens, the Greeks slapped their thighs and wandered off. But others… They ponder. They wonder. They ask themselves if perhaps, just maybe, it might be true.
And we watch expectantly. And we pray.
