I have a hunger for stories. Why? Because I’m human! Stories are fundamental to who we are and how we build our connections to each other.
Stories are so much more than just entertainment. Stories
connect us. When we meet someone for the first time, we don’t ask to hear their
facts, we ask to hear their story. Like any good book or movie, our stories
will have a recognisable arc – a beginning, some twists and turns and a
resolution. Sometimes we tell them in parts which is often what I’m doing when
I talk about building our garden here on Bountiful. I post about beginnings – most often planting – and then I get to talk
about the ups and downs – weather changes, pesky pests or garden improvements –
and hopefully there will be some success stories too. I’m hoping to be able to
soon post about the many bulbs we planted in May that are starting to pop up
now – as long as the rascally rabbits leave them alone! When we share our
stories they help us explain our differences to each other, bridge divides
between cultures and age groups and build our relationships. Sharing stories are
key to developing communities – such as you lovely people who follow my blog.
You are one of my communities.
Telling stories began as an oral tradition and the early
church relied on the telling and retelling of stories to get the message out.
After the death and resurrection of Jesus, it was left to his followers to continue
to tell their stories, carrying on the memory of who Jesus was and what He had
done. They shared stories of his life and death and what He taught when He was
with them - and for them, the stories were personal. Their stories not only helped
them share Jesus with others, it helped them understand Jesus for themselves.
The best depiction I have seen of the story of Jesus and his
disciples is The Chosen. This TV series currently has the distinction of being
the highest crowd-funded media project of all time. It is available to watch
for free and as things currently stand, the first two of a proposed six series
have been made and the third series at the time of this post is 56% funded. Here’s how
it introduces you to some of the characters and their stories:
A charismatic
fisherman drowning in debt. A troubled woman wrestling with real demons. A
gifted publican ostracized by his family and his people. A religious leader
struggling with his beliefs. See Jesus through the eyes of those who met him.
Jesus is revealed to us through the eyes of disciples,
followers and adversaries which gives opportunity to tell the stories from many
points of view. I love its portrayal of the disciples as very different
individuals and it tells their stories and develops their characters with a
deft combination of drama and humour. I’m
enjoying seeing women have a higher profile role in the telling, providing a
more realistic picture of everyday life in biblical times. And what a challenge
it must be to any filmmaker to have to cast the role of Jesus Christ! Actor
Jonathan Roumie’s portrayal is compassion itself.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all
things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was
life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the
darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Angel Studios, makers of The Chosen say this:
Nearly 19,000 invested
over $11 million to bring The Chosen
to life, the first ever multi-season series about the life of Christ which has
been viewed over 100 million views. The
Chosen is rated 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 9.8/10 on IMDB. It's just good.
We have almost finished watching the second series but are
putting it off because we don’t want it to end. It is that good.
Bible Gateway says that 70% of the Bible is estimated to be
stories. Everything in it is meant to be there, no accidents. God’s Story of
Redemption is the overarching theme and every piece of it – letter, parable,
song, prophecy, proverb and prayer connects us as readers to the bigger whole. These
stories are still being shared across the world – just like The Chosen.
If you haven’t seen The
Chosen, do yourself the proverbial favour and get watching!
Instead of a song for this post, here’s a trailer from The Chosen.
Embracing Story 🎬
Tracey
With thanks to
Imdb for The Chosen
trailer
The Chosen Press Photos (press.thechosen.tv) via Wikipedia Commons for The Chosen pic
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