Friday, April 14, 2006
From AscensionNYC
Good Friday
Psalm 22:1-21
Genesis 22:1-18
John 18:1 - 19:37
I have been teaching Sunday School for over six years now and it never ceases to amaze me the wonderful insight that the children sometimes share with me when we discuss a bible story. Last October, when we returned to the classroom after the Children's Greeting, I reached for the copy of the children's bible I had marked with the story I was going to read and discuss with them that day. I had a small class, just two children. As I flipped through the pages, Judy Cope's son, Alex, asked if I would read to them the story of Jesus on the Cross. It was not what I had planned to teach that day, but I figured if the children are engaged enough to make a request, I should entertain it.
In this particular bible, there was a watercolor illustration of the Crucifixion, with the Roman centurions, the two men who were crucified with Jesus, and Jesus on the cross. As I told the story, I pointed out the different characters depicted. The comments and questions I received were wonderful. Both children pointed out that Jesus was bleeding in the picture, and rather than being fascinated by the gruesomeness, they were truly concerned. When I explained to them that there were nails in Jesus, they were very sad and talked about how horrible it would be to have to die that way.
Alex asked me, "Where is God in this picture?" Impressed and caught a little off guard by what seemed a simple question, but was quite profound, I did the usual thing I do -- I punted, and asked where they thought God was in the picture. We talked about how the crowd had mocked Jesus about how if he was the son of God, why he didn't save himself. We also talked about how there are times when we feel very lonely and sad in our lives, and we all might wonder where God is, and that Jesus suffered and also appeared very alone and vulnerable, especially in this illustration. I explained to the children that the question about where God is in Crucifixion is a great one, and that people could probably write entire books about the presence of God during Jesus' death.
One thing that particularly struck me during my conversation with the children was how affected the children were by the violence of crucifixion. When I thought about how desensitized children and adults can be to violence these days, I found a glimmer of hope that the story touched the children at all. At a time when I have personally noticed that filmmakers feel they need to depict a violent scenario more and more graphically, especially if they want to have the horror and pain really sink in to what is a more and more desensitized audience, it is reassuring to know that words and a more subtle description or illustration can hit the mark as well.
What is so wonderful about teaching Sunday School to the younger children, in my opinion, is that they hear a story, look at the images, and point out things and ask questions that, I think, we may take for granted as adults, or perhaps not even notice. The questions and insight I get from the children often bring me back to what would appear to be basic questions, but also might be difficult questions that we set aside to get to the problems and challenges that the stories present to us that make more sense to us or that are not so elusive.
As I attend a Good Friday service and/or do the readings this year, I know I'll be returning to some of the questions and comments that came up during this class that seem worth reflecting on. Where is God in this picture and in these readings? As we reflect on Jesus' death and the human suffering he endured, what meaning does that hold for us and where we look for God in our most difficult and painful moments? What this experience also revealed to me is to not take for granted, or leave unnoticed the questions that seem simple or whose possible answers seem too elusive or painful or challenging to explore.
Genesis 22:1-18
John 18:1 - 19:37
I have been teaching Sunday School for over six years now and it never ceases to amaze me the wonderful insight that the children sometimes share with me when we discuss a bible story. Last October, when we returned to the classroom after the Children's Greeting, I reached for the copy of the children's bible I had marked with the story I was going to read and discuss with them that day. I had a small class, just two children. As I flipped through the pages, Judy Cope's son, Alex, asked if I would read to them the story of Jesus on the Cross. It was not what I had planned to teach that day, but I figured if the children are engaged enough to make a request, I should entertain it.
In this particular bible, there was a watercolor illustration of the Crucifixion, with the Roman centurions, the two men who were crucified with Jesus, and Jesus on the cross. As I told the story, I pointed out the different characters depicted. The comments and questions I received were wonderful. Both children pointed out that Jesus was bleeding in the picture, and rather than being fascinated by the gruesomeness, they were truly concerned. When I explained to them that there were nails in Jesus, they were very sad and talked about how horrible it would be to have to die that way.
Alex asked me, "Where is God in this picture?" Impressed and caught a little off guard by what seemed a simple question, but was quite profound, I did the usual thing I do -- I punted, and asked where they thought God was in the picture. We talked about how the crowd had mocked Jesus about how if he was the son of God, why he didn't save himself. We also talked about how there are times when we feel very lonely and sad in our lives, and we all might wonder where God is, and that Jesus suffered and also appeared very alone and vulnerable, especially in this illustration. I explained to the children that the question about where God is in Crucifixion is a great one, and that people could probably write entire books about the presence of God during Jesus' death.
One thing that particularly struck me during my conversation with the children was how affected the children were by the violence of crucifixion. When I thought about how desensitized children and adults can be to violence these days, I found a glimmer of hope that the story touched the children at all. At a time when I have personally noticed that filmmakers feel they need to depict a violent scenario more and more graphically, especially if they want to have the horror and pain really sink in to what is a more and more desensitized audience, it is reassuring to know that words and a more subtle description or illustration can hit the mark as well.
What is so wonderful about teaching Sunday School to the younger children, in my opinion, is that they hear a story, look at the images, and point out things and ask questions that, I think, we may take for granted as adults, or perhaps not even notice. The questions and insight I get from the children often bring me back to what would appear to be basic questions, but also might be difficult questions that we set aside to get to the problems and challenges that the stories present to us that make more sense to us or that are not so elusive.
As I attend a Good Friday service and/or do the readings this year, I know I'll be returning to some of the questions and comments that came up during this class that seem worth reflecting on. Where is God in this picture and in these readings? As we reflect on Jesus' death and the human suffering he endured, what meaning does that hold for us and where we look for God in our most difficult and painful moments? What this experience also revealed to me is to not take for granted, or leave unnoticed the questions that seem simple or whose possible answers seem too elusive or painful or challenging to explore.
Jennifer Landis
