He is risen indeed! by Natasha Woodcraft

 

He is risen indeed!

Image by Ken Thief 🕊 from Pixabay

Jesus was a master storyteller. We know this! He captured hearts and minds in a way that has never been bettered.

The Chief Priests in Jesus’ day were pretty good storytellers too. On that first Resurrection Sunday, they told a story: 

When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day. 

Matthew 28:12-15, NIV

I imagine their story was pretty effective, because people still think it’s true now! 

And yet, the disciples themselves had a different story to tell: “Let all Israel be assured of this,” Peter said, “God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah (Acts 2:36, NIV).”

Their story was effective too! In fact, accompanied by testimony signs and wonders – the work of the Holy Spirit – this story changed the world. Several of Jesus’ followers went on to craft their own writings: compilations of eyewitness accounts, each with their own personal spin, structure and focus. Each that would speak in different ways to billions of people for the next two-thousand years.

When they crafted their stories, the gospel-writers made some pretty radical choices. Women as the first eyewitnesses to the resurrection? Their testimony wasn’t even admissible in court! ‘He is risen,’ on the lips of heavenly messengers? A bit far-fetched, wouldn't you say? Parade your slip-ups and failures for all to see (looking at you again, Peter). Only someone truly transformed by the gospel would allow such tales to reach the page. 

The chief priests may have been successful in spinning a yarn, but there was something different about the stories the disciples told. Something gave them authority. It wasn't just the signs and wonders, brilliant though they were. It wasn't just the name of Jesus, essential as it is. It was the martyrs. Disciples like James and Stephen died for the story they told. And what person accepts martyrdom for something they know is a lie?

As Christian Writers, we get the privilege of being storytellers. Whether we write parable, fiction, memoir, devotional, blogs… all can be ways of telling stories. We might also tell stories out loud to our friends, kids, grandkids, or even our goats (ahem, guilty…) 

The questions is, what stories will you tell? What story will you write? Will your cleverly crafted manuscript be flavoured with truth (warts and all) or will it simply be a work of the imagination?

I hope this Resurrection Sunday, you will join me in telling the disciples’ story:

Christ is risen, He is risen indeed!

Natasha Woodcraft lives in slightly crumbling farmhouse in Lincolnshire with her family of boys and animals. She believes stories have power to communicate deep truth and transform lives. Her brand new novel, The Wanderer's Legacy, reimagines the tale of Lamech, the first polygamist, from the perspective of his wife, Adah. 

Quotations taken from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.