Author: Wick

The people chose to release Barabbas over Jesus. I never understood that fully. Maybe they were just that ticked off at Jesus. He’d promised to be the “Messiah” after all, hadn’t he? Where was His power over Rome? Where was their deliverance? He’d given them such hope, and here He is….being made fun of and kicked around. Screw it. Must have been another false messiah. What a jerk. Kill the guy. At least Barabbas is honest about being a bad guy.

Mob mentality takes over. Before they know it, crowds of people are shouting “CRUCIFY HIM!!!”. Those who felt just a bit threatened by words they’ve heard about this man, are all too happy to comply. Those who had put their hope in this false messiah feel vindicated. As he heads to his death, their passion and distaste for him and all who are like him grows. They spit. They mock. How dare this man think he’s anyone powerful? How dare this man give them false hopes? Who knows how he did what he did….but it’s obvious he’s no match for Rome. Kill him for leading us astray.

As the nails pierce his skin, something is happening. Something supernatural. Those nearby notice it, and it ripples through the crowds. This is not a good thing. It is already in motion. Some begin to wonder. As He hangs there, life slowly draining, even Roman soldiers become a bit curious. Who was this man? What feels different about this one?

All of creation mourns. Skies turn dark. Clouds cover the sun. (at least in the movies at this point, which I’m okay with. Similar to the creatures all mourning when Snow White dies, or whatever. Not comparing Jesus to Snow White…but you get it. It would make sense for all of creation to change a bit when the creator God-man dies.) It is finished.

I remember standing in a room where they believe the “last supper” took place. I was about 16 years old, and visiting Israel with a group of adults from our church. Who knows if it was actually the room, or if somewhere an entire descended line continues to laugh for telling early Christians this playroom for children was once used for a final supper with Christ and His disciples. (the ultimate April fools joke?)

In either case, that moment among many of that trip – made Christ physical to me. Reminded me He was more than just a spiritual being, or a concept, or collection of fuzzy stories we tell to put children to sleep or get them to behave. Christ walked this earth. Jesus was. God came in the form of something created. Humble, human, prone to hungers and suffering.

He knew something huge was going to happen. That the next few days would transform all of humanity (history, present, and future), and all of creation through it. So he gathers them all into a room, washes their feet, talks with them about what God is doing, and breaks bread with them – communicating His Love for them the entire time…even to Judas.

May we experience elements of Communion/Eucharist with every bite we chew and swallow. God has/is/will be loving us.

I don’t remember exactly when I began legitimately being transformed towards/by Christ. I remember several instances of asking Jesus “into my heart”. At a Wesleyan Church that offered a free Bible. At a VBS that offered special attention. At the Church with all the Flags that offered an autograph from Gospel Bill. At Youth Haven Ranch, to get one on one time with a man I looked up to. In youth group, on a trip to New Jersey serving the poor, to impress the youth workers and maybe even convince a female teen in our group I was worth a shot. On a trip to Toronto to worship with thousands of Nazarene teens because hundreds of teens were doing it.

I probably missed a few.

All that to say, I wouldn’t take away any of those experiences. I believe each added to God’s revealing Himself to me, and my response to those revelations.

I’ve been in youth ministry since I began volunteering at Youth Haven back in 1997. Over 12 years of attempting to let God use me to reveal Himself in similar ways to others. Through those years, I’ve seen many children and teens respond to God’s tug on their heart….and/or to a talented emotion-smith.

Even today as a youth pastor, I’ve seen teens respond to situations. I pray they are responding to God. I continue life with them. I see situations/choices that make me wonder. I approach each time of response as if that moment is the moment they will be transformed for eternity. Something deeper than words. Something life-morphing.

And not only altar calls, and fill in the response sheet moments. But I’m attempting to view every word/interaction with those I minister to as possible “God reaching through” moments. It’s not easy to remember….but I’m practicing. With my own daughters as well.

But I recognize that this life-morphing transformation is something that occurs in an instant AND continues to completion throughout a lifetime.

In the same way that this Sunday we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In being resurrected ahead of all creation, Jesus Christ inaugurates the Kingdom of God. All of creation is changed instantly in that moment, and yet continues moving towards completion.