“This is the stuff of legends.” That, the lightning on the cover and the strap line ‘Half boy – Half God – All Hero’ had caught my eye. I picked up the book and entered the world of Percy Jackson. Yes, before you think it, I know I’m not exactly in the target age group.

Rick Riordan’s books bring the stories of Greek Mythology into modern day through the adventures of the ‘demigods’ – a group of characters who are half human & half god. It makes for an interesting fusion of ancient and modern with a generous amount of craziness thrown in.

As I read story after story, the thing that stood out to me was not so much the inventive plotlines, but Riordan’s portrayal of the nature of the gods in Greek Mythology. They’re a distant group who are more interested in themselves than in others; selfish, unfair, unkind –  these are the words I’d use to sum them up.

Is that what you think of when you think of God? Or do you see him more as a Santa figure? Someone who turns up from time to time and drops you a gift or grants you a request, so long as you’ve been good.

Or is God all about rules? Is he someone who lays out a whole load of demands that you have to keep? If you do, there might be some reward at the end, but if you don’t, what then?

I don’t know about you, but to me a god like this might be impressive in power, but just seems lacking somewhat. Not a god of true glory.

Yet as I read the Bible, I see someone different. I see a God of immense power who also cares about individuals. I see a God who is as far from selfish as you can get. So much so, that he came into this world. God the Son became a human being, Jesus, and went to the cross for our sin.

At the cross of Jesus, I see true glory. A God who makes me go ‘wow!’

That’s the theme of the video above. If you want to know more of what the Bible says about God do give it a watch. Or, why not join us for our Easter Sunday morning service, 10:30am at our building on Gracious Street or streamed on our YouTube channel.