Welcome to Tuesday’s podcast.  If you’re sitting comfortably, I’ll begin……..

REFLECTION:

The telling of stories has a power that cuts across generations and cultures.

Stories can stir memories and help to connect us.

The youngest of toddlers can tell your their favourite stories, and often recite them word for word.

The summer months are full of people discussing which of the latest novels are going in their suitcase to be read at the beach.

As we get older we remember the stories that we loved as children, and so we read them to the next generation at bedtime or as they sit on our lap.

I am just finishing a book called “Even Better than Eden.” The sub-title is ‘Nine Ways the Bible’s story changes everything about Your Story.’

I’d like to read an extract from the introduction:

“There’s another story, a story that is found in the pages of the Bible – from the book of Genesis through the book of Revelation – that shapes and defines where I came from, why I am the way I am, what my life is like day to day, and what is ahead for me in the future…….And whether you know it or not, this same grand story – the story found in the 66 books of the Bible – shapes the world you live in, who you are, and what you want too.  That’s why you and I need to know this story.  It is where we find the answers to our questions about what really matters now and into eternity.  This story has the power to change everything about our stories.”

Raised a Jew, Peter knew the story of the Bible, as did his audience. The Jewish people were prolific storytellers.  The Jews cultural, social and religious identity was inextricable linked to stories of their ancestors that had been passed down the generations.

However, many Jews believed that the story had stopped, or paused.  They knew the story was meant to have a fantastic ending, but it seemed like the author was experiencing writers block.

But Peter knew that actually the story was still being written, the author was most definitely still at work; it was just that the Jewish people were not on the right page.

So, as they stand in front of him, astonished and amazed at the beggar who is now walking and leaping around; Peter re-caps the earlier chapters:

“Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead.”

In verses 12-15 of Acts Chapter 3, Peter reminds those listening that they are men of Israel. Just by using that phrase, he connects them straight back in to the stories of the past – the story of their nation, the story of where they had come from, the story that shaped their whole world view, the story of God and his relationship with their people.

Recalling the story of the God of Abraham, those in the crowd were reminded that God calls individuals to himself, that he wants a relationship with people.  In fact his desire for close, personal relationship is such that he actually wants to dwell with us.  The story of Abraham reminded those listening that their story was one of covenant and promise; a promise that God’s people – his family – would be blessed for all generations.

Then Peter turned to the story of the God of Isaac, and the Israelites listening remembered that this story was about sacrifice.  God would provide a sacrifice, so that none of his people had to die.  God wanted to rescue his people, but they would need to trust him with everything, even the things most precious to them.