We meet by chance on our daily walk. Stand at least 2 Metres apart. It's always good to see a friend but especially in these days of restrictions. Then we do what we always do- we sort the problems of the world out. I say something about my hope being in Jesus, and they say I could never be a Christian because... it's just a fairy tale. It's a made up story. Yes, Jesus was real, maybe even an extraordinary teacher, a guru but here's what I think happened (my friend say)...as the years have gone by lots of stories have been added to him. A bit like what happened to St Patrick. Patrick was an extraordinary man but miracles like driving snakes out of Ireland have been attached to him. No, I could never believe in the fables and myths about Jesus. And if I'm honest, I'm a bit surprised you believe in all that stuff.
Now, reading this, where do you stand in this scenario? Are you imagining yourself as the one who has to answer this OR are you thinking, 'I might not put it that way, but they have a point-can we really pin our hopes on an ancient story? Is it reliable?'
Here's how I might answer...
Mmm... (I check our 2 metre distance which has become a bit of a habit)...a fairy tale? Are you sure? I've read a lot of fairy tales and they're always vague about the details of when (Once upon a time) and where (in a land far away). Also, it's not physically possible to walk in Cinderella's dainty footsteps (except if you travel to Disney World) nor can you read multiple accounts of her words ("Oh the Prince was so dishy, a wonderful dancer") nor do eyewitness accounts of her life exist ("...and there I was looking at the most beautiful carriage that only a few minutes before had been a pumpkin")
Yet the accounts of Jesus read like historical narrative. They're very specific about when (eg "This took place when Quirinus was governor of Syria" ) and where (eg His disciples "go ahead of him to Bethsaida"). It's physically possible to walk in his 'footsteps', millions do every year. We can read not one but four eyewitness accounts of what he said and did, how he died and how he rose from the dead.
And I think that's the sticking point for a lot of people. Most people are like you and accept that Jesus was a real historical person but they struggle with the miracles, especially the rising from the dead miracle. For them it's too good to be true. I suppose in that way it's like a fairy tale. It sounds too good to be true. Who would believe a story in which evil is defeated (the evil stepmother dies) by an unexpected hero (seven reclusive dwarf miners), justice is done (the witch falls into her own trap) and love conquers in the end (Snow White marries the prince). Who would believe that fairy tale? And yet we want it to be true. Don't we?
What if it is true-here and now. What if evil is defeated by an unexpected hero, justice is done and love conquers in the end? Worth checking out for yourself, wouldn't it be. What do you think?
What do you think? The video below offers a way to look at one of these eye witness accounts of Jesus life for yourself. Or maybe this is something you could offer to do with a friend.
(Apologises for the presenter. It's his first attempt. But the challenge is worth doing.)
