Reason for Hope: Finding Your Story in the Greatest Story Ever Told 

INTRODUCTION

Everyone loves a good story.  Millions have enjoyed J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, and millions more, J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter. The Bible has been described as ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told’. Many would agree, but rarely read it or think about it. They have yet to see the depths of the epic and feel the riches of its narrative wash over them, bringing them new hope, vitality and joy.

Despite much political rhetoric, the reality is that our world is in short supply of real, substantial ‘hope’. The world, its leaders, and we ourselves are all too imperfect. Deep down we long for a better experience of life and a certainty about the future. The question is, ‘Where can we find it?’  

One of the great things about the Bible is that it offers us a hope that is supported by the evidence of history – evidence that has stood the test of time. In setting out the real state of human affairs the Bible holds out to us a hope that is real and substantial.  

But the Bible does something much more – it invites us into its narrative, beginning with the creating act of God and ending with God gathering us into a life of great beauty that stretches into eternity. It is the story of God’s action in cleaning up the mess we have made of the world and ourselves.

This series of Bible readings and reflections began as a series for the congregants of Christ Church New York City. The readings are selected from some of the peaks of the biblical narrative and, in a forty-day program, are designed to help us see our own place in God’s great story.  

The series is divided into four parts. Part 1, ‘Hope’s Promise’, introduces the grounds for hope for all men and women by exploring key chapters in the biblical narrative found in the Old Testament. Part 2, ‘Hope’s Fulfillment’, introduces us to the events surrounding the most amazing man who has ever walked on earth, showing us once and for all that God doesn’t forget his promises and that we have a very special place in His heart. Part 3, ‘Hope’s Practice’, explores the kind of life that God longs for us to live; while Part 4, ‘Hope’s Mission’, brings us to the privileged partnership we have with God in bringing others to the eternal delights and hope of his kingdom.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

In writing this series I am bringing together material I have developed over the years for sermons. In doing so I realize how much I have benefited from reading many commentaries and hearing the preaching of others, especially the good preaching that I have enjoyed in England. Inevitably ideas and phrases that I have read and heard and agreed with have become part of my own expression. To those writers and preachers, I acknowledge my debt of gratitude. My regret is that I did not always note who wrote or said what and therefore they remain unacknowledged in these pages.  

Added to my list of thanks are Brian Rumbold, my brother-in-law, who made helpful suggestions; Chelsea Schofield (neé Miller), former Research and Communication Associate, and now Susannah Black, have made constructive comments and edits. I am also grateful to Dr. Jonathan Smith who has also made helpful theological comments; thanks also are due to Ivey Rose Smith for her work in posting the material for daily access on the Anglican Connection website. Above all my thanks are due to my wife, Judy, my life-long partner and best friend. Having a natural and gifted literary flair, she has been a wonderful editor!

 © John Mason: October 2009; Revised, Lent 2016: New York City