The Greatest Story That’s Ever Been Told
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 14:33
There’s a basic storyline that runs through so many of the great stories. From Middle Earth to Narnia and Hogwarts, from Pride Rock to a Galaxy far, far away… in a way, it’s the same story told over and over again. The world is not the way it’s supposed to be. In fact, so many of these tales begin with a world that is free from trouble. It’s peaceful. That is until someone evil comes along. Whether it’s a wicked witch or a monster or an evil queen or a rival alien, someone comes along and disturbs the peace.
And as we read or watch these stories, we’re all hoping that a hero will rise up! That they will right all the wrongs, conquer the evil invader, and restore what was once lost! But as the stories show, it will most likely come at a cost — through much love and sacrifice. But one day, the Hero will prevail! (My personal favorite example of the hero who makes things right is Simba.)
Why do these stories captivate us so much? They aren’t necessarily true stories in and of themselves. But then again, in a way, they are. Because if you think about it, these captivating stories are actually retelling the greatest story that has ever been told. JRR Tolkien, who knew how to tell a good story, once said that the reason all fairytales resonate with us so much is that they reflect the story of the true hero, Jesus Christ. The One who came into this world that had been affected by so much evil, and He came to make things right and restore what was once lost.
In the summer of 2023, our Camp Greystone theme verse was John 14:33 where Jesus told His disciples, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Did you notice that in this one verse, we have the whole story! Because of sin, things are not the way they are supposed to be in this world. Jesus tells us, we will have trouble. And we experience that trouble every single day because the world really is broken. But the Good News is the Hero has come! And He has come to fix what is broken, to right all the wrongs, and to restore that which was lost. He has come to restore our relationship with God! And He does this through love and sacrifice — even at the cost of His own life. Jesus restores what is broken through His own death and resurrection, and He restores us to God.
This is why Jesus can promise His disciples, including people like you and me, that we can take heart and experience His peace. Because He has overcome the world! It really is the greatest story that’s ever been told!