What’s Your Story

This morning I was thinking about how so many different people have so many different stories regarding their personal experiences with God. It made me wonder how all of those different viewpoints really made sense – are they real? Can they help somebody else? So I was thinking of one very small incident in the Bible, described four different ways by four different men. They all told the same story, but from different views. Let’s look at them:

Matthew was one of the twelve disciples. He was a tax collector who dropped everything and followed Jesus. He was eyewitness to many of Jesus’ miracles, talks, and life. In the gospel of Matthew, he describes an event: Matthew 26:51, “And behold, one of those who were with Jesus reached and drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest, and cut off his ear.”

Mark was not present when this event happened, but is thought to have written it based on the account of Peter the Apostle, who was there. Mark traveled with both the Apostle Paul and Peter and was known to have written other letters for Peter as well. Here’s how he wrote it: Mark 14:47, “But a certain one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest, and cut off his ear.”

Luke was a physician, also not present for this event. He was the only Gentile Christian writer of the New Testament (all the others were Jews). He was also a companion of the Apostle Paul and was thought to also be the writer of the books of Acts. Here’s his story: Luke 22:50-51, “And a certain one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. And Jesus answered and said, “Stop! No more of this.” And he touched his ear and healed him.”

John was one of the twelve disciples, and was certainly present for this event. He is thought to have written Revelation as well. John and his bother, James, were known as the “sons of thunder,” likely for their big personalities! He also described himself as the “disciple whom Jesus loved.” He was the youngest of the twelve. Here is his perspective: John 18:10, “Simon Peter therefore having a sword, drew it, and struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave’s name was Malchus.”

Same story, four perspectives. Matthew was very matter-of-fact. He is merely recording this as an aside, it seems. His big story is (not listed here) more about what happened before and after that event. Mark, who was not an eye-witness, is recording it as a matter of historical fact, based on other eye witness stories. Luke, also not an eyewitness, adds a bit of detail that you might expect from a physician – it was the right ear that was cut off, and Jesus healed him. John, who was witness to the event, did mention the fact that it was the right ear, but he names names! He calls out Simon Peter for cutting off the slave’s ear, and also gets the name of the slave!

Now, why does any of this matter?

I think it is Very important, both to the authors, and to us. Each gospel reveals a little more of the story than the last, creating a lovely tapestry that we can all see, vividly! It also reveals the nature of the authors, each one very important to the story.

Each one of us has the opportunity to have a story, and to tell that story. What has Jesus done for you? What has God shown you only after reading the same story in the Bible for the 29th time? This is the beauty of knowing God. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever… yet He reveals more and more to us each time we delve into a book, a chapter, a verse, a story. It’s kinda like peeling an onion, only you never get to the very middle of it!

Seek. Find. He promises that. Just because you’ve read something, or even memorized it… go back and turn the pages; look at it again. Ask God to show you new revelations. He will!

Now let’s write some stories of our own! Let’s be a light to someone who needs it today. Let’s find some truth to share!