Learning from Noah's Story

Life has been really full the last few months, so a weekend away in Lancaster, PA with my mom, sister and aunt was the perfect break!  Even though Lancaster has beautiful scenery, delicious food, and great shopping deals, our main purpose in going was to see “Noah” at the Sight and Sound Theatre.  What I loved most about seeing “Noah” is that while it was wonderfully entertaining and complete with many live animals, they also deeply paralleled the story of Noah with the gospel and the Christian life. I became aware of how relevant one of the most famous Old Testament narratives is to my life in 2013.

The Bible doesn’t give all of the details of the events surrounding the building of the ark so some of what I’m talking about isn’t actually in the Bible; it’s just their creativity in interpreting what could have happened while Noah was building the ark.

The production opened with showing how Noah walked with God, and when he heard God speak to him, he obeyed God’s instructions. Because Noah believed what God had spoken to Him, he was able to do what seemed absolutely crazy to everyone around him, endure ridicule and persecution, and continue to warn people of the coming destruction.

They introduced several key characters:

·         Noah’s brother was rising in political position and tried to convince Noah to join him but Noah refused to be lured away by money, power and prestige. Because of his refusal, he became a social outcast.

·         The townspeople who laughed at the threat of a flood destroying the entire earth, and accused Noah of being judgmental, intolerant, and narrow minded. They told him repeatedly to just give it up; to enjoy life, and that if they all worked together, they could build a mighty empire.

·         The hired workers who enjoyed the personal gain that came from helping out with building the ark but ran away at the first sign of trouble.

·         A friend of Noah’s who said that he would go on the ark, not because he believed in God, but just as insurance just in case the flood actually did come.

The scene that is most engraved in my mind and heart is when the flood begins, and the people start to scream and plead with Noah to let them onto the ark. The Bible says that after Noah and his family entered, God shut them in. (Gen 7:16) God alone had/has the power to open and shut the door, and it was a limited time offer.

There was something about seeing the story of Noah acted out before my eyes that helped me to connect it with Jesus.  Just like in the days of Noah, we have turned our backs on God and have become corrupt. Like a good judge, God has to punish our wrong.  When Jesus died on the cross, He took the punishment we deserve and now He is the “ark” for us. The invitation to find salvation in Jesus is open to everyone but it is only a limited time offer. Sadly many people reject Jesus for all the same reasons the people refused to get on ark. It terrifies me to think that just as when the door of the ark was closed and people were screaming for another chance, a similar scene will play out when Jesus comes back one day.

I know this isn’t a popular topic and it is a heavy one too. I wish I didn’t have to believe in hell, but I’m not God….God is God!  I’ve chosen to take Him at His Word and the truth is infinitely important. As C.S. Lewis said, "Christianity, if false, is of no importance and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important."

It always amazes me how God brings together things in my life to shape and mold me. I’ve been participating in an evangelism class at my church the last few weeks and between these two things, I’ve been challenged as never before on the necessity and privilege of sharing my faith, not just in action but also in word.

I’ve been asking myself why I am so shy in talking to people about Jesus.  Why have I wasted so many opportunities to share the gospel? Why am I so afraid to speak up?

I am sinful, selfish and prideful… that’s the core of my problem. I don’t want people to say I’m judgmental, intolerant and hateful.  I want people to like me. I don’t want people thinking I’m one of those crazy, extreme Christians.  I want a comfortable, easy life; but the problem is I’ve been called to die to myself.  Jesus suffered and died for me so that I could find life, and I’m called to do the same for others.

The Bible doesn’t sugar-coat the cost of being a Christian. “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted”(2 Tim 3:12)

So, why follow Jesus and evangelize? Because, the reward of living for Jesus far outweighs the cost! (Matt 19:29) People will think I’m crazy for what I believe, because its foolishness to those who don’t believe yet for the god of this age has blinded their eyes (1 Cor 1:18, 2 Cor 4:4).

I am confident of this though, just as God rescued me and opened my eyes to the truth, He is more than able to do the same for anyone. I have seen in my life and in the lives of people around me, His power to redeem and to sustain through the hardest of times.

In the last few weeks that I’ve been thinking about all of this, my eyes have been opened to how often I fail God in this area of my life.  While I struggled with guilt and discouragement, God gently reminded me that no one’s salvation depends on me and that is a very good thing!  There’s a rest in knowing that God doesn’t need me. Salvation is a gift from God alone; He just lets me play along for my joy and for His glory. Knowing this also allows me to share the love of Jesus in gentleness and patience as well.  I don’t have to push my faith down people’s throats and I don’t have to pretend that I have all the answers. I can just humbly testify to the beauty, mercy, and love of Jesus.  I can pray continually for more people to come to salvation, because that is exactly why Jesus came and nothing can thwart His plans!

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”