This is Holy Week and, as a Sunday school teacher, I have always found it somewhat frustrating that in our teaching cycle Good Friday is situated between two joyous celebrations. If we are not careful and intentional, Jesus' death on the cross can become a "flyover" between Palm Sunday and Easter.
Think about it for a moment. Both Palm Sunday and Easter lend themselves to all sorts of wonderful and exciting possibilities for the children—colorful crafts and activities, boisterous songs, and happy Bible stories. But what about the cross? It doesn't lend itself to these naturally appealing activities, does it? The story of Jesus' death on the cross is filled with pain, sorrow, betrayal, abandonment, and darkness. It is the story of a holy and righteous Father pouring out His just wrath at sin on His one beloved sinless Son. But without the cross there would be no reason to celebrate Palm Sunday or Easter.He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:24 ESV)
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, (Ephesians 1:7 ESV)
Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. (Romans 5:9 ESV)
That is why our children need the "sad" story of Jesus' death on the cross—the pain, the nails, and even the wrath and the blood—if they are to ever to truly understand, embrace, and celebrate Palm Sunday and Easter in their hearts. So let's make sure that we leave plenty of room for telling and explaining the story of the Cross. May it never be a "flyover" in our church calendar, but may we thoughtfully, truthfully, and passionately proclaim its immeasurable significance.
