Great Stories

“And now you know… the rest of the story.” This phrase many of you will recognize as the sign off for the late Paul Harvey’s radio newscast with a feature he called, “The Rest of the Story.” These factual narratives always concluded with an interesting twist that made for a surprise ending. Listeners were often fascinated to learn that even when it came to stories with which they were familiar, there was always more to the story than what they had previously heard. This is so very true of the Bible. We might look at the Old Testament and ponder; What is the rest of the story? The flood and the ark, the Passover and the Red Sea, the wilderness and the Promised Land, exile and return, war and peace, kingdom and kings, prophets and priests, the temple, its sacrifices; All these stories point to “the rest of the story.”

Great Endings

Throughout the Old Testament, Christ was patterned, promised, and present. The “I Am” in whom Abraham rejoiced was Jesus (John 8:56-58). The Lord who motivated Moses was Christ (Hebrews 11:26). The Redeemer who brought them out of Egypt was Jesus (Jude 1:5). The Rock in the wilderness was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). The King of Isaiah’s temple vision was the Son (John 12:40-41). Then behold, God sent Jesus to dwell amongst us as we read in the New Testament Gospels. Throughout Jesus’ life He taught and performed miracles so we would yearn for the rest of the story. Then when the hour of his death came and they placed His body in a grave, and on the third day rose again; the rest of the story involves what that sacrifice means for you and me. The Bible tells us that God so loved the world that He sent Jesus to die for us. It also tells us that God’s plan from the very beginning was to be close to people, but that sin separated us from God and made necessary Jesus’ death on the cross.

Greater New Beginnings

Jesus ordered His followers to share the message of His salvation with everyone in the world, to give every human being the opportunity to have a relationship with God through Him. Now it is up to us to tell the rest of the story of Jesus to everyone who will listen. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16. We receive God’s free gift of eternal life through His precious Grace, by believing Jesus is who He says He is through His precious Word, and by our Faith in the sinless Son of God who died on the cross for our sins to grant us eternity with Him. “And now you know… the rest of the story.” Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.