Story

Yesterday a friend added more to a story line with an embedded tale.  Up to the point where our conversation started I thought I understood.  After a few hours of conversation, seeing the ideas hit paper, I began to see the story differently.  It wasn’t as if I had gotten it wrong; I saw everything in a new perspective.  The picture is, given what I know now, a lot more accurate and complete!  I wonder what will happen when we review my understanding next week.  Will it change again?
 
The principles of mercy, compassion, and unconditionally love to all have been well established for centuries.  Up through the early decades of Jesus’ life, there were scant examples of any nation, group, or individuals applying the principles in radical, practical, or unmerited ways in any sort of sustained manner.  It was almost as if the very principles of God were, in human terms, interesting, admirable, but not practical beyond the occasional action or two.  For all the rhetoric, nothing seemed to make it to daily living!
 
Jesus changed this framework.  A great example was the scene when the leadership of the day asked him to sit in public judgment of another.  His response was a staggering example of radically applying mercy to all.
 
“They kept at him, badgering him.  He straightened up and said, ‘The sinless one among you, go first:  Throw the stone.’  Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt.”  (John 8.7, 8) 
 
There is a tendency to think and believe history has been written.  It has, but the living models are still incomplete!  You and I have a story to tell.  We have the opportunity show what the principles mean in the world in which we live.  If someone is looking for a story of unconditional mercy for all – I would love to tell them see John in New York!  He is telling the story today!  Looking for an acceptance story?  See Dick in Orlando!  He is telling the story today!  This story doesn’t end – it just continues with you and me.