Today is Easter and in church one person says “He is risen!” and the rest of us say, “He is risen indeed!” And the “He” we’re talking about is Yeshua—son of Yoseph, or maybe Yusuf is how they said it. He is who we follow as the promised Messiah.
I think we all love stories though I have a particular hunger for them. I love the Marvel Universe and the DC Universe and Image and Dark Horse besides. I love watching television and movies and reading books and playing games and talking to people and experiencing story in the whatever form I can find.
My very favorite character in all the stories I’ve read and heard and seen is Yeshua of Nazareth.
The reasons are so many, but here’s a few:
He’s lead and spoken directly in my life. I talk to him psychically and verbally, as though He’s really there, guiding the arc of humanity, and somehow caring about all my intricacies and odd fascinations.
The story of Yeshua’s life is the mightiest story in the world, has stretched to all nations, gained untold millions of believers. The story is still expanding, and you and I are characters. People are still learning who he is, even those who’ve followed him all their life.
No story is like Jesus’ story! No hero has done what he did after claiming what he claimed and had power like he had power. If you love stories, you should hear this story!!!
We usually see his name written Jesus, and hear it pronounced like “Cheeses.” Here’s a confession: the name “Jesus” has always bothered me, not least because that’s not how the word sounded when Our Rescuer’s family and friends spoke with him. They pronounced “J” like we pronounce “Y” and so I’ve heard him referred to as Yeshua and Yehoshua and Yehovah and all sorts of other incredible names besides, all of which sound cooler to me than the common one.
In any case, we believe Yeshua is alive, that we are still in the midst of a story God is telling, and that our Messiah is serving at that God’s right hand in Heaven, leading the Holy Spirit on Earth. We believe Yeshua defeated death and was the first and only person to do so.
Because of my hope in this Great Rescue, I believe I’ll see our pets and my grandparents and my ancestors and Mindy again. Someday we’ll be together, with all the other people we love, and many, many more besides.
My hope for this is broad and encompasses all. Yet I know there’s poison in this world, the suffering of fear and shame and rage and death. We face so much of that every day now. Yeshua—the Good Shepherd, the Lamb, the Lion, the Rock, the Living Water—offers to carry our burdens, offers to carry your life. Yes, like Footprints in the Sand, I guess. Whether another chance to know him happens after this life is over my pay grade. What I feel in the core of my being is He wants to walk with you and me every day of our lives, and now.
In my darkest hours and in my lightest, following and speaking to Yeshua helps. I recommend immersing yourself in His Story heartily.
On a scale of 1 to 5 stars: Infinity Stars
Hoo-boy. You took a big swing here. Thanks. I have the same vibe about Jeezes, or JeezUHS… thanks for naming it!