My friend Howie Batson tells a story about a Chinese farmer who reserved judgment on good news and bad news. In the story, he receives a horse, which soon runs away. A neighbor says, "That's bad news." The farmer replies, "Good news, bad news, who can say?" The horse comes back and brings another horse with him. Good news, you might say. The farmer gives the second horse to his son, who rides it, then is thrown and badly breaks his leg. "So sorry for your bad news," says the concerned neighbor. "Good news, bad news, who can say?" the farmer replies.
In a week or so, the emperor's men come and take every able-bodied young man to fight in a war. The farmer's son is spared. Good news, of course.
Luke’s story of Paul’s journey to Rome reminds me of that story. They found a ship. A storm battered the ship. They sighted land. The ship broke up in the waves. Soldiers wanted to kill Paul. The centurion saved his life. The people made it to shore. Where were they, though?
They landed on Malta where the people were unusually kind. They built a fire to keep the survivors warm in the cold weather. Paul decided to bring some extra wood. A snake emerged from the woodpile and bit him on the hand. Good news, bad news, who can say.
So are the stories of our lives. Seemingly good and bad events alternate in our lives every day. Is it all random chance, or is God working out his plan? The Biblical worldview not only asserts that God created the world, but that he is actively engaged in our lives. When humankind fell in sin, God made provision for salvation through the death of his only Son, Jesus. Was the cross bad news or good news? The third day answers our question. Now listen to Paul’s perspective: “He who did not spare his own Son, but freely gave him up for us all, how will he not also along with him graciously give us all things?” “Good news,” says God. I believe. Do you?
