When asked why Star Trek was such a success, Gene Roddenberry explained that he took contemporary circumstances, and put them into a space environment. We could relate to them! What a simple, yet successful premise. Even worked for George Jetson, his boy Elroy, daughter Judy, and Jane his wife. And at the other end of the time line, and in the first prime time cartoon, were the Flintstones, the MODERN, stone age family. Based on the Honeymooners, Fred was Ralph Kramden, the big hearted, big mouthed, idealistic buffoon always looking for the way to a better tomorrow. And we can associate with Fred and Ralph, for we all have times of lousy bosses, in laws that interfere, lack of money, bad bowling nights, and all the other daily battles we engage in that we refer to as life. We were right there with Fred. Right there in the Rubble with Barney. HEE-HEE-HEE-HEE!
Which always amazed me at how the writers were able to adapt today's situations to the stone age. The future was an unknown, but the past we all knew about dinosaurs. So whereas Roddenberry used his talents and applied them to the future, Hanna and Barbera applied them to the past. And two iconic shows were created, both popular 50 years later because we still can relate to them today.
That was why Jesus taught in parables. Far from the scriptural discussions and lessons inside the temple with the Pharisees, Jesus taught those outside the temple in parables. So we would get it, and relate to them, and Him. So we could see love, grace, and mercy through prodigals, invitations not accepted, and seed not bearing fruit. Wages that seemed unfair, and the foolishness of trusting in riches. We can all relate to having these go on in our lives, and through the Holy Spirit can be brought closer to God when reading them.
But not many realize that Jesus was a cave man. Not modern like the Flintstones, but a cave man just the same. From the night He was born, remember there was no room at the inn, and He was born in a stable-which was a cave where the animals were kept, to His burial in a cave, He was a cave man to the end. He was born in a rented cave, and was buried in a borrowed cave-and neither could hold Him. For He knew better than we ever will how temporary life on earth really is. He had no real estate holdings, luxury mansions, or 737's so He could fly anywhere without the humiliation of public travel. He never held a telethon, never threatened to go off the air if you didn't send Him money, never went on a book tour, and never asked for money. It was all temporary to Him, and it should be to us too. No matter what your belief, death is a 100% fact. It is what you believe, and in whom you believe that makes a difference. Only Jesus will get you to heaven. Be warned, hell is not temporary!
Three days after the Good Friday night that He was buried in, the cave/tomb-it was found empty. He was resurrected, just like He promised those that believe in Him will be. From the rented cave of His birth, to the borrowed cave of His death, all His promises are "yes and amen." One promise we overlook is that He tells us we shall do all the things He did, and even more. We too are only here temporarily, He even calls our bodies tents-temporary dwellings. We too can see the miracles He performed, and be involved in them ourselves. And we too shall be resurrected with Him. Eternal life, with a cave man. Did you ever hear anyone name and claim that? Would you ever consider serving someone who was born and buried in a cave, man?
Maybe that is why the gospel is so simple, even a cave man can understand it. When faced with heaven, what else can we say but to echo Fred, "YUBBA DUBBA DO!!!" What do you say? He was born in cave, man, and was buried in a cave, man, and was resurrected from a cave, man. Trust God-and have a YUBBA DUBBA DO GOOD TIME!
Ironically the Flintstones never lived in a cave. You don't have to either, someone has taken your place. Jesus Christ-a true cave man. That's someone I can relate too!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com