Tell Me The Story of Jesus: What About Jesus' Incarnation?
Spiritual Questions with Scriptural Answers.
In 1880, a beautiful hymn was written by Fanny J. Crosby. She was blind physically; however, she had a way with words that could help her and others see clearly. The name of the hymn is “Tell Me The Story of Jesus.”
When we talk about the “story” of Jesus, we are not talking about a made-up, man-made fantasy; but rather, the actual account of the Son of God Who came to this earth.
Friends, Jesus lived a perfect life, died a horrible death; and then, was raised from the dead three days later. As a result of His perfect sacrifice, the Lord provided hope for the world (1 Cor. 15:1-4)!
The life of Jesus was truly the greatest life ever lived, and the impact He made, while on earth, is and always will be incredibly evident.
Considering the Lyrics of “Tell Me the Story of Jesus.”
The lyrics of the hymn “tell the story” of Jesus: The most “precious” and “sweetest” story ever heard.
The song begins by unfolding the scene of His birth: “The angels in chorus sang as they welcomed His birth” (Luke 2:8-14).
Then, the transition is made to the manner of Jesus’ life, including how He was tempted (Matt. 4:1-11), mistreated (Isa. 53:3-4), and rejected (Matt. 8:20; John 1:11).
Next, the negative then gives way to the positive as Jesus overcame the trials and tribulations of life. He was triumphant as He perfectly did the will of His Father!
The final stanza points us to the “cross where they nailed Him,” the “grave where they laid Him;” but also, to the fact that He “liveth again!”
Truly, this hymn is timeless and is rooted in Scripture. It is the goal of this article and future articles will be to unfold the “story of Jesus.” I am excited for our journey together and I appreciate your reading and studying along with me.
I want to challenge you to read these articles as if you have never heard about Jesus the Christ. May these articles help us fall deeply and truly in love with Jesus as we live for Him!
The Story of Jesus Begins Before the Beginning.
We must start before the beginning. This may sound strange, but when John, the apostle, introduces Jesus, He goes back into eternity to show the world the Word:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made (John 1:1-3).
Notice that the Word has always been there and was not “created” as some teach. The Second Person of the Godhead “was with God” and the Word “was God” (cf. Col. 1:15-18; Heb. 1:1-3).
Jesus is 100% deity, and when He took on flesh, He was also 100% human! He is uniquely qualified to be the Mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5). Later in the prologue of John (John 1:1-18), John points to the essential truth that the Word “took on flesh and dwelt among us.”
Jesus, the Word, was the “Lamb slain before the foundation of the world” (Rev. 13:8). He left Heaven and became “poor” that we might become “rich” (2 Cor. 8:9). Further, He “brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel” (2 Tim. 1:10).
The Word came to “seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10), “bear witness of the truth” (John 18:36), and “do the will of the Father” (John 4:34; 8:29). The Son of God died on the cross for the sin of the world, thus “tasting death for every man” (John 1:29; 3:16; Heb. 2:9).
Having ascended, Jesus now sits at the right hand of the Father as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18; Rev. 17:14)!
The Story of the Bible is the Story of Jesus.
The purpose and pulse of the entire Bible centers on Christ. The main message of the Word of God is the salvation of man by Jesus Christ to the glory of God the Father (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).
We close with the words of the apostle, Paul, who sums up the “story” of Jesus with these amazing, inspired words:
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:5-11).
References.
Fanny, Crosby. Memories of Eighty Years. Boston, Mass. James H. Earle, 1906)
Fenner, Chris. “Hymnology Archive.” November, 21 2019. https:// www.hymnologyarchive.com/tell-me-the-story-of-jesus. Accessed January, 23 2024.
Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia, and one of my best friends in this world. They live-stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.
Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.
The greatest story ever told. The greatest work ever done. All because of His love for us.
Thanks Jameson.