What is your favorite movie of all time? 

Not a movie person? What about TV shows or book series? 

If you were put under pressure to retell the story of your favorite show or movie, could you? How hard would it be for you to describe the characters, plotlines, and twists of the stuff that you love to watch or read? 

If you’re anything like me, it really wouldn’t be that hard. I could pretty confidently recite the story of Harry Potter or the MCU leading up to Endgame (because we all know it hasn’t been worth watching after that anyway). 

Why can we do this with relative ease? 

Well, because stories are powerful. Stories with meaning and character arcs captivate our hearts in ways that a lot of other things just can’t. Each and every one of us is drawn in by a journey, an adventure, or a good love story. We are wired to think and be moved by the power of story. But when it comes to this little thought experiment that I had you start with by recapping your favorite story, I have a follow up question of even more importance. 

Could we do the same thing with the story of Jesus?

Could we even come close with the story of the Bible? 

The hard reality is that most of us can’t. We know parts. The highlight reel. But we can’t confidently tell the story of Jesus’ life. The most important story of all time because it is only through that story that you and I can go to heaven when we die and live a free life. Little bit concerning, right? I don’t know about you, but if anyone claims to truly love something, I assume that they know about the something that they claim to love, otherwise their claim doesn’t appear to hold much value. 

I’m not a huge sports fan. I enjoy playing sports rather than watching them, and so sometimes the hype or fandom of the professional sports world gets lost on me. But man, I know some people who have done their research! Who can passionately tell me all about the storylines of the players and the coaches and the trades and the rivalries. And I have to say when I come across people like this, not only does it make for really fun and entertaining conversation, but I am more likely to consult them if I ever have a question in that area! Shouldn’t the same be true about us when it comes to the most important story of all time? The story of how you and me, and all of humanity can be made whole and find true identity, hope, joy, and love? 

And let me add this point to the mix as well, this isn't just any old story. It’s not just a story about a guy named Jesus. It isn’t folklore and it’s not a fairytale. This is our story too. When we put our faith and trust in Jesus, we are adopted into God’s family and are written into the story as co-heirs with Jesus (Romans 8:17) and now we are put on mission (Matthew 28:18-20) as ambassadors of Jesus to the world (2 Corinthians 5:11-21). So we better know the story that we’re a part of!! 

Jesus has changed our story. He has rewritten it through the power of His blood on the cross. Our story is now His story, made known through history. I have heard the perspective of viewing the time that we’re in right now as the “Fifth Act” of the Bible. All that this perspective means to say is that we are in a waiting period. Jesus came, died, rose again, and ascended into heaven and now, we await His return. But what should we do in this waiting? 

Well, followers of Jesus treat the present as the fifth act. The Bible is the first four acts of God’s story in humanity, and now we’re stepping into that story and get to play a role. So what does any good actor do that is stepping in to play a role in an ongoing story? They memorize and study the heck out of what has come before! They engross themselves in the characters, culture, and story of the acts previous to them so that when it comes time to step in, they do the part justice. We are in the fifth act, Church. And we need to know our part well. 

Let’s close with some Scripture to remind us that this story is alive and well, and far from over. I love how the author of Hebrews puts it:    

12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  

Hebrews 4:12