Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us…. (Luke 1:1-4, ESV)
I rarely miss the beginning of the Masters. I plan my schedule around watching Jack, Gary, and, now, Tom hit their ceremonial tee shots.
And because I am married to a “Saint” who supports this annual obsession, I am riveted to the television from the opening notes of the Master’s theme song—“Augusta,”— to the presentation of the Green Jacket in The Butler Cabin.
Like others, I am glued to The Golf Channel the week before the Masters begins. Why all the fuss? For me, it’s critically important to hear the storylines that Rich Lerner and Brandel Chamblee are narrating.
Whatever takes place at Augusta National this year will only be truly appreciated if it is understood within the long arc of its storied past. As Jim Nantz says about the Masters, it is “A tradition unlike any other.” And for anything to become a “tradition,” it must have a meaningful history.
Analogously, to be seized by the weight of the gospel, one must begin where the author begins and follow the unfolding story of promise in the Old Testament and fulfillment in the New Testament.
As Paul instructed Timothy, “continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed…and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings [the Old Testament], which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:14-17).
In any act of evangelism, we tell a story with a beginning, a developing plotline, and an ending. The story of grace begins in Genesis and develops throughout the Old Testament until it finds its fulfillment in Christ Jesus.
When Moses narrates the story of Adam and Eve, he is not merely writing history but foreshadowing things to come. God promises that one day the “seed of the woman” will suffer a blow to his heel, but in doing so, he will crush the head of the serpent. In this way, Moses foreshadows Christ and his triumph at Calvary.
As we arrive at the Abrahamic narrative, God promises Abraham that one day all the nations of the world will be blessed through “his seed.” Jesus said, “Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad” (John 8:56). In short, Abraham foreknew the Messiah would be the “heir of the whole world” (Romans 4:13).
By the time we arrive at the narrative of King David, the story unfolds even more. We discover that David’s “seed” will be a King with an everlasting throne and all his enemies defeated (2 Samuel 7: Psalm 2; Psalm 72).
With these three micro-narratives, we understand that this “seed” will be the warrior who defeats the serpent, the heir of the whole world, and the King who reigns in everlasting righteousness—all these promises converge in Jesus of Nazareth.
You might ask, “How is this relevant to my life at the club?” First and foremost, he keeps all his promises. Consequently, we can go into the harvest knowing he will empower us to tell the story and see men and women converted to Christ.
Additionally, we must understand that God’s evangelistic mission is something he is doing. If we fail to know and believe his plan, we inadvertently try to shoehorn Jesus and his plans into the pre-set narrative of our lives, often overlooking our stewardship to “tell the story.” And attempting to squeeze his plans into the narrow confines of our limited understanding of life is like forcing Shaq’s feet (size 23) into Cinderella’s slippers.
Thus, the most important thing for Christians is to know, believe, and align ourselves with his ongoing story unfolding in history. There, we find the boldness, the power, and the words to “share the gospel” at the club or anywhere else.
Prayer: Jesus! May we find our place in your story rather than trying to squeeze you into ours.