Isn’t This What We All Want to Know?
“What is the rest of the story?” is a question that we all should ask more often. Too many times we make assumptions based on partial or misleading information. We see or hear something and let our mind run wild with its first thought.
The Rest of the Story was a daily radio program hosted by Paul Harvey. It consisted of stories presented as little-known or forgotten facts on a variety of subjects with some key element of the story (usually the name of some well-known person) being held back until the end. The broadcasts concluded with a variation on the tag line, “And now you know…the rest of the story.”
I remember listening to this program growing up, many times while driving a tractor or combine in the field. The messages in these “rest of the story” broadcasts were enlightening and informative.
Presumption is a big part of the division.
In Acts 28:17-28 Paul was speaking to the Jewish leaders telling them that he had, “done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I’m a prisoner from Jerusalem. They handed me over to the Romans, who intended to release me after they examined me, because they couldn’t find any reason for putting me to death. When the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar. Don’t think I appealed to Caesar because I had any reason to bring charges against my nation. This is why I asked to see you and speak with you: it’s because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”
They responded, “We haven’t received any letters about you from Judea, nor have any of our brothers come and reported or said anything bad about you.But we think it’s important to hear what you think, for we know that people everywhere are speaking against this faction.”
On the day scheduled for this purpose, many people came to the place where he was staying. From morning until evening, he explained and testified concerning God’s kingdom and tried to convince them about Jesus through appealing to the Law from Moses and the Prophets. Some were persuaded by what he said, but others refused to believe. They disagreed with each other and were starting to leave when Paul made one more statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke correctly when he said to your ancestors through Isaiah the prophet” …
You will hear, but not understand; you will see but not recognize what you are seeing.
The Jewish leaders were confused. Some had issues with Jesus and His followers, they were making presumptions.
As Christians, we need to ask questions and listen to the answers while weighing everything against Scripture.
The story doesn’t end with Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus’ story goes on through us sharing His message though our lives.
This is the “rest of the story”.
Seeing that we’re in the Holiday season, I thought I would share one of my favorite Paul Harvey Christmas messages, The Man and the Birds.
Here is a link to over 600 Rest of the Story episodes.