Easter is fast approaching. It can be a heartfelt time of remembrance, even for children. My first real Easter memories as a child most likely involved frilly dresses, Easter baskets, or candy — not anxious thoughts about how Jesus was treated during His final week on this earth.
A few years ago, a pastor friend shared with me the story of his then six-year-old daughter’s reaction to watching scenes from The Passion of the Christ. I would say it was most likely the scenes where Jesus was being beaten and crucified.
My friend was sitting on the pulpit platform with a clear view of his daughter. He watched the bewildered expressions that flowed across her sweet face as she experienced — for the first time — the depicted treatment of Jesus during the last days before His death. From his viewpoint, he said he was glad that his wife was the one in the car with her on the way home.
His daughter had questions. Oh, did she have questions.
The takeaway this six-year-old had after the conversation with her mother concerning the treatment of Jesus — whom she had been taught to love — was a very firm conclusion:
“I do not like the way they treated Jesus.”
Wow. Out of the mouth of babes. I do not remember having such a serious thought about Jesus as a child.
Sometimes the clearest truth comes from the simplest hearts.
I do have moments now, as an adult, when my heart says, “I do not like the way they are treating Jesus.”
And as I lean into this season remembering the passion of my Christ and His sacrifice, my deepest desire is that I am not one of those who will be ashamed by my treatment of Him as I walk this path.
“2 And the soldiers platted acrown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, 3 And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands…. 16 Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. 17 And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: 18 Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.” John 19:2-3, 16-18 (KJV)
I do have moments now, as an adult, when my heart says, “I do not like the way they are treating Jesus.”
And then a quieter question follows in my own heart: Am I always treating Him the way I should?
————————————————
What is your relationship to the all-knowing God of the universe? Do you know the peace that can come only from an intimate relationship with Jesus? You can know Him. Jesus Christ—God’s Son, born into human flesh, sinless, crucified and giving His life freely, buried, arisen on the third day—will come into your life and change the outcome of your eternity. You just have to be willing to believe and accept His truth. In addition, here is an excellent page that can give you additional information on peace with God: PeaceWithGod.net.
————————
Blog Image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay
Restricted Vision, Unburdened Sight 