I've written several posts about our little church, because frankly, that is where we get a real taste of the culture.
And today was no different….or it was really different, depending on how you look at it.
How did you do Easter today?
All around the globe, Christians were worshipping and remembering what Christ did for them. I'm certain the services all looked different. My mom's church was doing a musical program. Others had a sunrise service - on a mountain…outside the church….by the lake. Others may have put on big productions…the story of Easter.
And that's kind of what happened here.
While I didn't get photos of everything, I'd like to share our version of the Easter story with you.
As we entered the building this morning where we do church, we saw poles wrapped in brown paper and we were greeted by a sign that said "Bienvenidos a Jerusalen" (Welcome to Jerusalem), with 2 young girls in "period" clothing welcoming us and giving each person a bag with a pastry in it.
It's the first time I've seen the chairs in rows…that's because half of the room is being used for the "stage". No one except for some of the American are in new clothes. It's pretty much jeans for most. We all find our places after much visiting, and while starting time is 8:00…it's about 9:00 before we begin. Cleo begins to sing…."Este es el dia"…"This is the day"….and we know it's time to start as we all join in. While we do have songs that pertain to Christ's work on the cross, we don't have any special or new Easter songs - we just have the 50 or so that are in our songbooks. We sing a couple of songs, and then it begins.
Greetings, a couple of songs, the offering, a couple more songs, and then they pass Communion and ask us to hold it until the play….OK.
The blue plastic tarps hanging on yellow cord are closed across the room in front of us…..
Curtains open (with the help of my niece and nephew).
…and Judas is making his deal with the religious leaders.
We moved on to the Passover meal, Jesus washing the disciples feet….and as Jesus and the Disciples shared that Last Supper, we joined them by taking Communion.
Powerful.
Another scene showed Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsamane, and the disciples falling asleep. Another with Peter cutting off the soldier's ear and Jesus healing it. Peter around the campfire denying Jesus three times…and then the cock crowing.
A young girl stands to the side and is commenting on the scenes throughout the play as she watches.
Asking questions.
"Why would this man Jesus heal the ear of a man coming to take him to kill him?"
"Would I deny Jesus?"
Causing us to think. Helping us to personalize this drama so that it isn't
just something were being entertained by.
It's working.
Drawing us into the moment.
Placing ourselves in each scene.
Jesus taken before Pilate - Whose side would I have been on?
People crying out, "Crucify Him!" Was my voice part of that crowd?
Being beaten by the Roman guards. Even though He was innocent. (I was so into the play that in my heart, I cried out, "NO!")
Bloody and wounded. For me.
Carrying the cross. For me.
Having help with the cross. Would I have wanted to help Him or would I have stood back in the crowd? Hiding.
Crucified. For me. As the sun shone though the front door, it almost seemed as if the Son of God himself were there. Pure and Holy - but taking on my sin…and yours.
I wept.
Joseph of Arimethia took him down from the cross and carried him to the tomb. He knew. He knew.
This was the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
A friend reached over and put her hand on my back. I couldn't contain the tears.
And neither could she.
Women bringing herbs and spices to prepare his body for burial….but He's gone!!
Peter and John come to see for themselves.
He's Alive!!
By this time, there were so many tears that I couldn't see to take more pictures. They had done such an excellent job of transporting us to that place…that time.
The last scene of the drama portrayed today, ended with Jesus…
A very alive Jesus…
Oh death, where is your victory? Oh death, where is your sting?
…taking the dark colored cloak (symbolic of sin) off the young girl who had been asking the questions throughout, and she was dressed in white.
Cleansed from sin - white as snow.
No matter how it's told….in music or word…
In the grandest cathedral, or in a humble little church on the backstreets of El Valle de Anton, Panama.
It is and always will be the greatest story ever told.
His story.
And it can be yours.
Do you know Him?
