The Stories That They Tell About You

Gathering Prayer: Holy One who is know to us by many names and in many ways, we give thanks for the blessings that we have in our lives. Be present now as we enter a time of thought and discussion.

Focus: The story of Jesus has been told to us in many different ways. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Jesus Christ,Superstar! gives us a story line from the vantage point of Judas; Godspell (Schwartz & Telebak) gives us a vision of life with the disciples. The Gospel writer Mark begins the story with an adult Jesus. Matthew, writing for a Jewish audience, tells us of a child who is of royal descent (David), born to a virgin, worshiped by Wise Men (Magi, Kings) and comes out of Egypt (Moses) where he was forced to flee by Herod because of persecution. Luke, writing for Gentiles, tells us the story of two women who become pregnant via extraordinary means, of angels proclaiming the good news and a newborn being visited by commoners. Luke literally begins in the Beginning, having Jesus and God as part and parcel of the same entity.

Same person, different storytellers. Tonight we look at “ the stories that they tell about you.” Below are some excerpts from the Scriptures mentioned above:

John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1)

This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham………When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost…… Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”……When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt.  (Matthew 1-2)

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. (Luke 2)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1)

Below is some “food for thought”, a few probes that might kick start a conversation.

Read over them and pick one (or more, or none) to discuss. Remember to hold space for others to share and share only what you feel comfortable sharing.

Probe 1. Imagine that you write your autobiography. What does the reader learn about you in chapter 1?

Probe 2. At one point in her pregnancy, Mary bursts into song (Andrew Lloyd Webber would have a dance number also,but I digress). She sings: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, he has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree. He has filled the empty with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever. (Luke 1) What does this canticle tell you about Mary?

Probe 3. Stories have been told, books written, and songs sung about the life of Jesus. What’s your favorite (or least favorite) story, scene from a play, song (hymn, contemporary, Christmas carol) about Jesus?

Probe 4. We know very little about the life of Jesus from the time of these stories of birth until he is introduced at age 30 by John the Baptizer. We know that when he was 40 days old that Simeon recognized him as the promised one and that at age 12 Jesus could debate with the rabbi in the Temple.How do you imagine that Jesus spent the years from his childhood to the time of his ministry?

Probe 5. In Superstar, Judas sings, “Why’d you choose such a backward time in such a strange land? If you’d come today you could have reached a whole nation. Israel in 4 BC had no mass communication.” If Jesus lived in the US in 2019, what would Jesus tweet?

Probe 6. At one time there was great debate within the church as to whether Christ was Divine (as John 1 states) or was a created being, like man. A committee, the Councils of Nicaea (325 A.D.),was assembled to decide the question with the “Divine Side” (Christ and God are One) holding sway. This becomes one of the important orthodoxies (correct way of thinking) in the Church. Is it possible to not believe that Christ is God and still be Christian?

Commission: Hold on to what is good. Love deeply. Honor others. Stay excited about life and your faith. Be joyful. Be patient. If you pray, have faith. Share with people who are in need. Welcome others into your homes. Be loving to those who hurt you. Be present; be in the moment. Be agreeable, even with those with whom you disagree. Be humble. Be a friend of people who aren’t considered important. Do the right thing. If possible, live in peace with everyone. And remember, no matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey- you are welcome here.