Abraham Lincoln said, “For a man to train up a child in the way he/she should go, he must walk that way himself.” (See Prov 22:6)

We have 12 grandchildren and we’re always being challenged as to what we can do to encourage or enrich their lives. They are all unique and active in different ways, but one common thread seems to wind through all of them. They enjoy reading or having stories read to them. So, with that as a backdrop, I dedicate this week’s message to our children and grandchildren and to all others who may be intrigued by its title and potential reading value: “What is the Greatest Story Ever Told?”

For me, there are several elements worth considering. First, the greatest story should affect the most people; it should be extremely creative, imaginative, comprehensive, inclusive, universal, and engaging; it has to have integrity and completeness; it must pack unparalleled power and life to change its readers for the better, and finally, for something to be the greatest story ever told, IT MUST BE A TRUE STORY!

I don’t know about you, but a particular story comes immediately to mind. It is the account of Jesus Christ—the One who supernaturally came to earth as a man to bear witness of the truth. Of all the books ever written, I’m quite certain that few if any boast a main character as unique and impacting as Jesus Christ. This figure was sent as the highest gift of God to save mankind from sin by dying on the Cross. His was a legacy filled with supernatural ability, wisdom in the fullness of Father God, ultimate authority obtained via humility, love, and victory over all things evil, including death. His life is depicted in an epic novel that was written over 1,500 years through 40 or so hands, consists of 66 books, and stands as the all-time bestseller by many millions of copies. If there is another tale as affecting… if there is another work as creative, imaginative, comprehensive, inclusive, universal, and engaging… if there is another author as capable of capturing integrity and completeness… if there is another piece of literature that packs such power and life to restore its reader, then I’d be very interested in getting my hands on it.

The “greatest story ever told” is quite a concept. Only one title is worthy. And while there are many in the offing, I’m convinced it’s the narrative that upholds the abundant life found in the honest effort of following Christ. I mean, just listen to the beauty of the prose that goes way beyond a mere Christmas season in Luke 2:10-11: Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” How great is that?

John 3:16