April 5, 2012
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Jesus
It is Passion Week and I am so glad that I watched an animated movie about Easter with the kids tonight. When it first started, though, I sat there disappointed and a little judgmental. It was definitely a “B” movie and didn’t have the effects and graphics of a Disney production. Even Pokemon was better than this! I even grumbled at the fact that the movie used the King James version of the Bible for its Scripture references (so hard to understand!). Nevertheless, the kids seemed really into it, so I sat down to see how boring and bad this rendition would be.
I had just told Jeff how I did not like how the movie portrayed Jesus as the typical nice, white, Sunday school Jesus. It felt so odd to me to be watching a cartoon about Jesus Christ. But within 15 minutes into the movie, I was in tears.The story that was told clung very closely to what actually happened, used Scripture for reference, and there was just enough drama to make me fall in love with Jesus all over again. I felt the suffering of the Christ and the love that kept Him straight on His path to Calvary. For me.
After the movie, I put the kids down for bed but kept thinking about what I had just seen. Unfortunately, the movie was no Academy Award winner, and all of the “action” and “gore” were missing so that it would be appropriate for children. There wasn’t even a catchy song to enjoy. But in the end, it was the story of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection that was so compelling. It was Jesus who made the movie good. What happened to Jesus was so wrong, so sad, and so unjust. But what happened to His people because of His death and resurrection was so good! This gospel is truly the best news on earth because from such sadness and injustice, rises hope and freedom and joy.
I don’t know if my children understood exactly why Mommy was crying like a baby as she watched a cartoon Jesus being beaten and crucified. I’m not sure if they felt sad because someone died, or because they understand that the best Man who ever lived, died a cruel and noble death for them. I’m not sure if I truly understand this and all that it means for me. I am ashamed to say that it took a cartoon Jesus to remind me of the real Jesus and what He did for me. It took a picture to point me to what is actual and true- that Jesus Christ, who is holy God, left His perfect life in heaven to come to earth to live as a man. He did this so that He could truly experience the pain of humanity, rid us of our sin, and suffer and die to guarantee eternal hope and life for those who love Him and believe in Him.
Don’t say that what you watch doesn’t affect you. Even an unsophisticated, childlike depiction of ancient history has caused me to think deeply about my very existence and purpose in life. I know that I might sound like a Jesus freak. If I do, my only regret is that I probably never sounded like one before. I am so thankful that I am celebrating Easter this year. I am meditating on the goodness and love of Jesus. I am in awe, again, by His strength which the world considered weak. I am humbled by his sacrifice which resulted in my greatest gain. I hope that as I sit at home tie-dying Easter eggs with my kids this weekend, that we will enjoy our time. What I really hope, though, is that they will ask me about Jesus, that I will have an opportunity to talk with them about the resurrection and why we celebrate Easter. They know that the Easter Bunny will never save them from sin and hell, but do they know who has? Sorry, that was a little dramatic. Jesus Freak. Actually, that sounds so pejorative. I think Christian is a much better description of me.
