THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY

 

by Linda Grabeman

The story behind the story is often the best part of the story.

Isn’t that how the magazines at the grocery check-out catch your eye?

We love the juicy tidbits about famous personalities.

 

We long to sit backstage or in the front row, savouring every detail as a titillating event unfolds.

How a relationship ignited or imploded, who messed up,

who made it to the top and how they did it—

how fun to get the scoop.

 

 

As a movie script, the trailer for this story would say:

Have you ever had a long weekend that absolutely blew your mind? As if time slowed down and sped up all at the same moment, leaving you breathless and different — not the same person on Sunday that you were on Thursday? Changed so much that life would never be the same? If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re not alone. It’s happened before. To real people.

Here’s the kicker: This happened over 2000 years ago, that very first Easter weekend.

Are you thinking, Sure, Blah, bablah, bablah?

Maybe like me, you’ve had Easters where you’ve thought,

          Same characters, same lilies,

                          matching outfits, and me,

                                   sitting in the pew, secretly planning my Easter table during the sermon.

 I get it. But that’s not the real Easter story, that’s the traditions of man that we’ve set up.

A peek behind-the-scenes will spotlight the real Easter story.

It’s a head-spinning, heart-wrenching weekend,

heavy with loss, betrayal, and confusion.

But then the surprise ending.

I was asked to speak at an Easter sunrise service three years ago. I scoured all four Gospel accounts and found a treasure I never expected: eight individuals, each captured and clutched in a different emotion.

But Jesus met them, one by one, and their lives were totally turned around. They needed some rest, some truth, some hope. They came to the right place.

Mary Magdalene was so grief-struck that she didn’t even recognize Jesus. She thought He was the gardener. O.K. Glad He cleared up that misunderstanding.

Poor big-mouth Peter, arrogantly promised never, ever, eeeevvver to leave Jesus.

How many times would he relive that I-don’t-know-Him scene right before the rooster crowed? Jesus met him –  just the two of them – and that conversation unchained and changed his heart.

Sub-plot: A conversation with Jesus brings clarity, forgiveness, renewal, and purpose.

As I began writing the book about this weekend, the Lord clearly said to my heart,

Tell them that I love them.

I pray that we have conveyed that message in Real and True: Hope for the Restless Heart.

We all need to be reminded of His love from time to time.

I can’t think of a better time to re-hear this truth than at Easter.

Are you weary? Wondering? Restless?

Come, meet Jesus and these eight individuals in a way you’ve never met them before.

You’ll never view Easter the same way again.

 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me.

Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life.”

Matthew 11:28

 

Love,

Linda