I Love To Tell The Story

There is a story that I love to tell, for it is more meaningful and nobler than any other. It is the story of a King, who left His royal palace, gave up His glorious power, and dwelt with the peasants. The story of a King, whose love for the commoners surpassed that of any parent for a child, or of a husband for a wife. The story of a King, who was willing to stand trial, be found guilty (though He was not), and pay the penalty for His people, that they might be freed from their bondage. The story of a King, who overcame all forces that would come before Him, even that of death. The story of a King, whose name is Jesus.

The apostle John appropriately begins the story by writing in John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."  Think about that! "...The Word became flesh..." The King left His palace. Jesus left the comforts of heaven to join mankind on the face of the earth. Paul writes of Jesus, in Philippians 2:6-7, saying, ^“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.”  May we never take lightly what Jesus did for us.

The letter to the Hebrews states, in Hebrews 10:4, “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.”  If you are familiar with the Old Testament, you will remember that a sin offering was to be offered year after year for the people, but there was a problem; it could not take the sins of the people away. There was need for a better plan. There was need for another covenant, and along with the new covenant, another sacrifice. Thus, God provided and Jesus became the sacrifice for our sins. He allowed Himself to become the sacrificial Lamb, bearing our sins for us. The prophet Isaiah writes in Isaiah 53:4-5, “Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. but He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.”

No doubt, the greatest story ever told is the story of Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, who became Man, and died to save mankind.  John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  It is a story of hope and love, a story of honor and service, a story for you and me. As the songwriter says,