Stories in Scripture: Recent Episodes
Ryan Wekenman and Keith Garton
The Bible tells one story. It is the story of God's revelation to man through many personal, radical interactions. These stories aren't as simple as we sometimes think. They involve broken, hurting, and imperfect people experiencing the perfect love of God. God chose to reveal himself through stories and narratives, so we decided that we should explore the small moments in the big story that leads us to the God who created the universe.
This isn't about Joseph's dream, it's about the 22 years he waited and worked before his dream came true.
The glory of heaven comes to earth in the unlikeliest form to the unlikeliest people. Lowly Shepherds keeping watch over their flock at night.
Despite his fear and anxiety, Joseph's dreams helps him realize that God's plan leads to the peace he so desired.
In the small town of Nazareth, a young woman experiences the wonder of God's promises and finds comfort in the mystery of faith.
Zechariah learns that God always hears and answers our prayers, even when we can't imagine the implications of the deepest desires of the heart.
The man has left the temple again, this time for good. He follows the crowd from the Garden to Pilate’s estate in fear and wonder. After seeing the Rabbi hang on the cross, he knows life will never be the same. Violence, bitterness, power: these are all the same root of what the temple leaders were using to solve in the first place.
It has all come down to the last challenger: The Pharisee. He and the Rabbi meet in the center of the temple and battle for the very soul of Israel. The man in the corner remembers a strange encounter with this Pharisee, an insight into his heart. The Rabbi does not fall for his trap.
The Sadducee decides it is his turn. A powerful man in the Temple. But the man in the corner sees the fragility and fear in such a position. The Sadducee tries to point to a flaw in the resurrection. And the Rabbi reminds everyone that the power of God exists for those willing to live it out.
Strange alliances are forming in the Temple. The man in the corner watches as the Herodian attempts to settle the manner with diplomacy, reminding everyone of the power of Caesar. Instead, the Rabbi points to a new standard of giving and loyalty.
The man still adjusts to his new way of life. He decides he must know more and goes to seek him out. Back in the temple, the Chief Priest prepares to challenge the authority of Jesus. He can’t let the Rabbi rule in his place. The man in the corner begins to see the humanity in all people.
Jesus and his disciples finally arrive in Jerusalem to much fanfare. At the temple, one man finds himself at a crossroad. His encounter with the famous Rabbi takes his life in a direction he could never have anticipated. The religious leaders of the temple plan a way to trap this Rabbi, ridding themselves of potential trouble. But none of them are prepared for what will happen.
With nothing else to lose, Peter and the disciples return to their lives before Jesus. Peter’s soul is weighed down by that terrible night. After a fruitless night on the water, the men encounter Jesus on the beach. Peter, longing for a second chance, frantically swims to his friend. Still, after it all, Peter wonders: is there still a place for me at the table?
Peter finds himself desperately trying to stay hidden while staying as close to Jesus as possible. He huddles among the masses gathered in the courtyard of Caiaphas waiting to hear the news. Each time he is recognized, he denies knowing his friend and teacher. Plagued by the prediction of these denials and the memories of his failings of the last three years, Peter weeps at what Jesus would think of him now.
Peter is following the crowd. As he does, he thinks back to the lessons of the last three years. Sheep, Coins, A Son. He searches his mind for something to grasp, hoping that the night will start to make sense. Each story contains some truth or lesson, opaque and strange. Desperate for answers, Peter can’t help but think that he might be too far gone.
Jesus retreats to the garden to pray and meditate. Peter, James, and John accompany him. He asks them to stand watch, but they can barely keep their eyes open. Suddenly, a great crowd appears; Judas is among them. He identifies Jesus and suddenly Peter finds himself in the middle of a fight. But to everyone’s surprise, Jesus surrenders. Peter doesn’t believe it as he watches his teacher chained and taken away. Unsure what to do next or where else to go, Peter follows.
Peter and the other disciples are still considering the washing of their feet. Passover has never been like this. Jesus then predicts his own betrayal and nothing is the same. Stranger still, Jesus offers a new covenant: of blood and flesh, of bread and wine. Those present cannot begin to penetrate the mystery of Jesus’s words. Peter wonders what Jesus is really up to.
In Episode 2, Jesus and the twelve are enjoying the Passover meal together. The age old question of position and privilege returns. Peter sits with the other disciples arguing over who is the greatest. Jesus is much more concerned with showing them that they all (even Judas) are created in the Image of God. He is too busy loving his fellow humans to care about ego. He shows them the true nature of radical service by doing the unthinkable: washing their feet. Peter begins to see a glimpse of the truth of Jesus’s true message and purpose.
Welcome to the first episode of Season 1! This season we will be exploring Peter’s experience during the night of Passover and the arrest of his friend and teacher, Jesus. In Episode 1, Peter wrestles with the insecurities that come with being one of Jesus’s most trusted apostles. As he is sent to prepare the table, Peter wrestles with the questions that have plagued him for his whole time with Jesus: Am I worthy to be following this man? What am I doing with his group? Why have I left all I’ve ever known? And, Am I welcome at the able? Terrified of losing his spot as the Rabbi’s right hand man, Peter struggles to find peace and joy on this holy occasion.