“Vladimir Putin knows the power of stories. With a better one, we can beat him”, reads a newspaper article headline today. With propaganda and fake news, the Russian president has woven a powerful false story about Ukraine for the Russian people. The Ukrainian people are experiencing an entirely different story.
So against a backdrop of world events and our own conflicted lives, a topical story for Lent through which we currently travel.
“Welcome!” rasped the Devil. “Welcome to the Wilderness Trial of ‘I’m a Celebrity!’ And a special, special welcome today to you, Jesus. What a trial we have lined up for you. Hunger, thirst, heat, mental despair. Oh yes, you will be crying out ‘I’m a Son of God… Get me out of here!’
“So… first off, help yourself to bread. It’s like Bread week on Bake Off – only you’re making it from stones – haha! But you’ve got the powers. So look after yourself. What do I hear you whisper, Jesus? You’re here to love? You’re focussed on training to feed others not yourself? Hah! You’ll be the one eaten up.
“Help yourself to these nations, Jesus. All free – Special Edition offer. Because you’re special! Help yourself to the power. What do I hear you say? Speak up, man, I can’t hear. You’d prefer to serve? Mmm, Lord-of-All or Servant-of-All – a no-brainer. You’ll be crushed.
“Help yourself to fame, Jesus. Fast-track yourself with a devilish stunt: a bungee-jump but without the bungee. Because God’ll catch you! What are you whispering now? It’s not about you? About love again? Oh dear, Jesus, you’re starting to sound like a scratched record. You really haven’t sussed this Wilderness Trial, have you. Haven’t you spotted you’re not even a celebrity yet? And you really think loving everyone is going to make you one?”
And so began a conversation which would last three years. A conversation which climaxed on a cross. A conversation which continues today.
I frequently puzzle how love can really be the weapon that overcomes evil. Yet we see it time and again. In the compassionate responses to the suffering of the people of Ukraine (and from other countries in conflict). In those who build peace. In those who give themselves for others. For love is subversive. It infiltrates the enemy camp and dismantles it from within.
We do indeed have a better story.
