The greatest story ever told

"This is the greatest story ever told. Without this story, we always be searching for that light which would light the world. But because of this story, we now have it. Thank God, it is here for us to follow. For us, and all mankind who will follow."   

When many of us were younger, we might have gone with our parents to see Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ. That was the name of the book written many years ago by General Lew Wallace. For the movie, staring Charlton Heston as Juda Ben-Hur, the title was shortened to just Ben-Hur. An excellent movie, it is still played from time to time on one of the cable, or even network stations.

Another book was written years later, was penned by Fulton Oursler. The Greatest Story Ever Told, was made into a movie and started Max Von Sydow as Jesus. This is my favorite role that Max starred in. 

Then came 1970, when (gasp!) a rock opera entered the scene. It was written not by theologians, but a couple of guys who liked to write music. As many young folks in the world felt their faith starting to slip away, along comes this rock opera which described the gospel in (gasp!), rock and roll terms. Some thought it was sacrilege, others thought is was a new media for this most important message.

One of my fondest memories when I was stationed on Okinawa in 1970-1971, was when Jesus Christ Superstar hit the island. The PX at Kadena Air Force Base could hardly keep that album in stock. EVERYONE wanted it. All of sudden, when this album started to proliferate around base housing, it was all you would hear. Not guys yakking at each other and making fun of it- these were young men, listening intently, thinking back on the greatest story ever told, which they had learned back in Sunday School.

Okay - flash forward to today. Many mega-churches like Eagle Brook have been criticized for how they attract people to worship. They use jazzy music. It may be biblical, but it is still jazzy. Just like Jesus Christ Superstar, was too rocky. But both have brought people (most young, who have fallen away), back to the church.

The greatest story ever told can be told in many ways, at many times. But the purpose of the story stays the same. Redemption. Forgiveness. Hope. Victory. On this Maundy Thursday, when Jesus was betrayed by one of his own, captured in the Garden of Gethsemane, arrested, beaten, and then worse - started on this day.

When Mel Gibson directed The Passion of the Christ, it received a "R" rating. Swearing? Sex? Not hardly. It received a "R" rating because Jesus was not only crucified, he was butchered (per Max Lucado). No sugar coating on this story of the passion. But without the awfulness of this weekend, we would not have the hope that Easter Sunday brings us.

If it is Ben-Hur, The The Greatest Story Ever Told, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Passion of the Christ, or just reading God's Word - the story stays the same. The Passion stays the same, the outcome stays the same, and the hope for all mankind, always stays the same.

This is the greatest story ever told. Without this story, we always be searching for that light which would light the world. But because of this story, we now have it. Thank God, it is here for us to follow. For us, and all mankind who will follow.