The Story, we hear?
A hard conversation about the cross |
I am learning, as we parent our two little boys,
that grey areas are easier for children than adults. They are more willing to
accept the confusing sticking points and they are able to not get distracted by
the details of the story. They often get right to the heart of why they are
hearing a story when we are still confused by why certain things have happened.
My oldest is growing up and he is totally focused on the details now. He had so
many questions about Judas and Peter. He wanted to know about the King of the
Jews, the crowd, and the religious authorities. It took us a long time today to
read that section of Mark.
But I know that while he has many questions, he
is thinking closely about how this drama plays out. He is beginning to make
conclusions about people based on this story. Many of these conclusions are not
how I want him to view the world. This is because of how our Scriptures tell
the story of Jesus. It is easy to misplace the blame in this story. People have
been doing that for centuries. This is why we read these stories together.
As we read the Scripture together, his questions
give me an opportunity to talk to him about mob mentality. I have an
opportunity to teach my child how sin works in the world and how it pulls us away
from God. This morning we talked about the choices we make each day. I talk
about how the authorities (both temple and Pilate) were afraid of losing their
power. We discussed how Judas, Peter and all the disciples who left acted out
of fear.
Finally we talk about how Jesus was also afraid
but how he was different from the other because he acted out of love rather
than fear. He was willing to suffer because he knew that his actions would save
the whole world. That is the lesson I want my child to learn in Scripture; we
all have choices and our decisions need to be based in Love.
Reading with our children shows us how they hear the story |
Today’s
Scripture: John 18:1-19:42
Almighty God, we pray you
graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to
suffer death upon the cross; who now
lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Conversation Starters:
- What questions do you have about the story of Good Friday?
- How would you have behaved if you were Pilate, Judas, Peter or part of the crowd? Why?
- Who is missing from the story and why is that important?
- What does this story teach us about Jesus?
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