I have been working on an Easter message for our convalescent ministry and have been pondering the significance of the resurrection, and I have to admit that I sometimes have an easier time thinking about what His suffering meant to me than I do with thinking about what His resurrection meant. The meaning of the empty tomb is sometimes difficult to metabolize.

AMEN!!! I so agree with your words, and your questions of what is and isn’t okay to present for our children, in more ways than just what faith experiences we went them to be immersed in. I was raised in, and am raising my kids in protestant traditions which are “crucifix free.” The crosses in every church I’ve been active in are bare. For Lent some congregations I’ve been in have draped a purple cloth or placed a crown of thorns, then black for Good Friday until the vestiment was changed to white for Easter morn. I have a deep reverence though for other traditions, and feel a very ecumenical connection to the wider community of faith…with and without the crucifix as “the symbol.” It’s important to understand the depth of Jesus’ sacrifice I think, but we have to remember that’s not where it ends…it is in the resurrection that we are free!

In regards to re-encating, when DH and I were in college, we were in an ecumenical music/drama team that led worship and ministered in various venues…churches, schools, auditoriums. The conclusion to most of our “performances” was a re-enactment of the Passion, using Dallas Holm’s “His Last Days.” Even as performers, we never had a dry eye…the power from the crucifixion through the resurrection was intensely emotional, deeply spiritual, and always, always moving! No matter what part we played, there was power and meaning in the experience.

May these next few weeks of Lent bring you time to continue reflecting on your journey in a varied community. May you find the peace you need to forge a way for your kiddos, and to walk strong and tall, however you are called to be faithful…and FREE of the weary, crucifix laden load! :D (((HUGS))) –Karla

I know what you mean when you say that seeing images of Jesus on the cross helped you to understand the depth of what happened to him there. I have experienced that too, especially at Good Friday services over the years, where the congregation has been invited to interact with the cross in various ways.

Over a life time of living under the crucifix however, I’m emotionally and spiritually weary of the cross–an instrument of torture– being the primary symbol of my faith. I think it would be so meaningful, symbolically and physically, if we could re-enact the whole of the passion story by literary bringing Jesus down the from the cross. Of course, the crucifix in the CPH church is probably a priceless work of art, and I doubt we would be allow to fiddle with it! (This is Europe after all! :-) But as some one who has served congregations in the past as a pastor, if I had any opportunity to enact a communal of emptying the cross for Easter and Eastertide, I would certainly like to experience that.

Yours on the Journey,

Rachelle

You need to head over to church rater and interact with your adoring public

http://www.churchrater.com/blog/2008/03/05/passive-aggressive-jesus/

I grew up in Utah, and although I was never personally Mormon, I did attend my fair share of services for various members of my family. Mormons don’t believe in showing the cross because they believe it to be a form of idolatry. I can understand that philosophy, although I don’t personally agree.

With that said, I think my experience of going into Catholic churches (who traditionally show Jesus in pain and suffering) and also the experience of watching “The Passion” which depicts the graphic side of Jesus’ experience, did enhance my view and brought home the real ramifications of what Jesus suffered.

It caused me to seriously contemplate what he suffered and then to say, “Geez, thank you, Lord.” It also enhances my view of a God who understands the suffering in the world because He has experienced it Himself.

To me, I find no guilt associated with seeing it. Only a great deal of thankfulness that he willingly did this for me. I see Him as a God who gives to such a degree and loves more than I can even imagine or even begin to love.

I woke up about 3 this morning and couldn’t get back to sleep for thinking about this post. My thoughts are rambly, maybe, or perhaps too unformulated to write down here (or maybe too personal, like inkberryblue’s…?).

There’s a lot of things I love about going to church and there are many things that have made me unconfortable about many of the churches I’ve gone to. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a church that I trusted enough to, dare I say, submit to? Or if that word is too yucky for some, how about give myself over to? If the church is truly about the Kingdom of God here and now, wouldn’t I want to give myself over to it? Hmmmm….

On a related note, kind of — the thought trail here is Kingdom of God to church to Body of Christ to the letter to your body— I’d be interested in hearing your version of a letter to your part of the body of Christ. In a sense, maybe that’s part of what you’re exploring by going to this church for community reasons…

BTW, it’s National Grammar Day back here in the states and I think I failed already in these comments!

I hadn’t checked in on your blog lately and when I did I was so surprised to see that your whole life has changed in a matter of a couple of months! You’re on the other side of the world. I had quite a bit of [worthwhile] catch-up reading to do.

I love your thoughts, too, on this new church in Copenhagen with its over-the-top crucifix… I find that I’m so used to these images that I forget to see these things through the eyes of those who are “un”/”non.” Your perspective of faithful doubter never ceases to inspire and teach me.

Many blessings in your new life,

Ray

Perhaps God uses art to preach too? :)