holy week

It's true that many hands make light work.

That was evident as the moms in our science co-op set out to celebrate

Holy Week in a memorable way for our children.

The ideas flowed and expanded and as each of us took on an activity or two, 

we were able to piece together experiences for our children to 

taste, see, feel, and hear 

of Jesus' final days while always pointing to the gift of the resurrection.

We began with a passover, the last supper. 

We followed this Christian seder that walks through the Jewish tradition 

while also making the connection to Jesus and the resurrection.  

And he said to them, 

"I have eagerly desired to eat this 

Passover with you before I suffer.  

For I tell you, I will not eat it again 

until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God."  

Luke 22:15

We improvised a little here and there, like the Charoset, should be blended nuts, apples, and cinnamon.

All to represent the mortar in the bricks the Israelites were forced to make in slavery.

For sake of time and ease, we used trail mix.

And instead of a lamb bone shank, we used chicken.

But do you know, I recently went to a traditional Jewish Seder and they used chicken also.

So I don't feel so bad.

"This is my blood of the covenant,

which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."  

Luke 22:28

A Dad so kindly built a cross. 

Each child took a turn carrying that weight.  

Imagining the struggle.  

The pain.  

The enormity of all of our sins

 that Jesus carried with the cross.

"Wanting to satisfy the crowd, 

Pilate released Barabbas to them.  

He had Jesus flogged, 

and handed him over to be crucified."

Mark 15:15

"Again and again they struck him on the 

head with a staff and spit on him.  

Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him.

And when they had mocked him, 

they took off the purple robe 

and put his own clothes on him.  

Then they led him out to crucify him."

"Carrying his own cross, 

he went out to the place of the Skull..."

John 19:17

The only one, who is perfect and pure, becoming all of the ugliness of the world.  

His father turning his back on him.  The agony of betrayal, false accusations, beatings, persecution.  

And through it all he loved and forgave,  

"Father, forgive them; 

for they do not know what they are doing." 

Luke 23:34

Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 

'Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?'  

Which means 'My God, my God, 

why have you forsaken me?'

Mark 15:34

"When he had received the drink, 

Jesus said, 'It is finished.'  

With that, he bowed his head 

and gave up his spirit."

John 19:30

The curtain of the temple was 

torn in two from top to bottom.  

And when the centurian, 

who stood there in front of Jesus, 

saw how he died, he said, 

"Surely this man was the Son of God!"

Mark 15:38

"Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: 

yet we did esteem him stricken,

smitten by God, and afflicted.

But he was wounded for OUR TRANSGRESSIONS, 

he was bruised for OUR INIQUITIES:

the chastisement of our peace was upon him;

and with his stripes we are healed."

Isaiah 53:4-5

Back inside, they made resurrection rolls.

One of the moms led our kids through the symbolism of the steps.

The marshmallow being Jesus, his body prepared with oils and spices and wrapped with

linen before being put in the tomb.

At another station, they were asked, what would it have felt

like to find the tomb, with the stone rolled away?

To enter, discovering Jesus' body is gone?

"As they entered the tomb, 

they saw a young man dressed in a white robe 

sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

Don't be alarmed, he said.

You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, 

who was crucified.  

He has risen!  He is not here."

Mark 16:5-6

Back inside they find their resurrection rolls are empty too.

Not a word is spoken as the worship music plays.

Watching the images. Reading, hearing the Truth.

The sweetness of salvation.   

And this most perfect celebration ended with a craft, 

a special keepsake to remember this eternal gift.

"...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 

looking to JESUS, 

the founder and perfecter of our faith, 

who for the JOY that was set before him

endured the CROSS..."

Hebrews 12:1-2