Category: Uncategorized

In honor of “New Life” made possible by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I wanted to post something “different”.  Something connected to God making all things new, and involving us.  This past week, I took my older two daughters on a day that has/will become a tradition in the Anderson family – the tradition of helping Jesus wake up the trees so they can start growing leaves once again.  Here is some of our journey…

 Altogether a pretty great day. There were deep valleys where I had to carry both daughters from one side to the other.  The girls loved learning the word “moss”, and looking for it throughout our journey.  One highlight included seeing a large butterfly, and as I was pointing it out to the girls, I held out my hand.  It landed on my hand and we got a short close-up with it before it flew away!  Awesome!!!!

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.