By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

While on our cruise to Alaska last summer, we were able to do some whale watching.  It was amazing to see those huge sea animals playing in the ocean.  However, the only photos I was able to catch were not at a very good distance.  Once back to our port in Seattle, we explored for another day before returning home.  There, we saw the whale tail you see here, and of course, I snapped a picture.

Fish stories like that are similar to “the one that got away” stories.  But allow me a moment to tell you a whale of a tale.  Many years ago, on a quiet night, a little boy was born.  This took place a long time before hospital births were the ‘norm.’  No one was around but the infant’s parents, but everything went beautifully, and they were so very excited to begin their parenting journey.

The little fellow grew up, following in his father’s footsteps, and then branching out into his own life.  He was a people person, and he traveled extensively, long before airplanes were dreamed of.  He made many friends, but, alas, also many enemies.  Time went by, he grew into a young man, and then his world was turned upside down by some ill-wishing people who simply wanted him out of their way.

A ridiculous trial under terrible circumstances led to a bogus conviction and a death sentence, all within a very brief period of time.  The day arrived, and the hour came, when he was experiencing his last moments, and instead of cursing his accusers, or trying to somehow weasel his way out of this unbelievable situation, he simply looked toward Heaven, spoke to His Father, and requested that the evil-doers be forgiven.

That’s a whale of a tale, isn’t it?  Is it a wonder that the world doesn’t believe that Jesus did all this for every one of us?  But, an unbelievable Man lived an unbelievable life and died and unbelievable death so that we might believe!  It’s an incredible story.

But here’s the kicker.  Unlike those “fish that got away” stories, this whale of a tale is incredibly true!  Don’t let Him slip away from your grasp and out of your thoughts and focus in the week ahead.  His Story is a whale of a tale that all of us fishers-of-men must tell!

Just a thought.