The Messenger - February 25, 2011 - 24 Hours in the Life of Christ
"24 Hours in the Life of Christ"
About 3 months ago, Kim and I rented the first season of "24," an award-winning television drama staring Kieffer Sutherland as agent Jack Bauer, who works for an "anti terrorist" unit of the United States Government. Jack's daughter is kidnapped in the very first episode, and we soon learn that the culprits of this crime are also attempting to assassinate a promising presidential candidate whom Jack is supposed to guard. Then, to make matters worse, the assassination of several good federal agents proves that his unit has been compromised by spies. Jack goes to extraordinary lengths to resolve all of these problems, and he seems to make good progress, but every resolution seems to create a whole new problem as "the longest day of Jack's life" goes on.
I thought about that TV series recently when preparing for a series of sermons I will be preaching on the last 24 hours of Jesus' life. Much like the TV show, there is a sort of fatalism in these 24 hours with Christ--an inescapable "down draft" that would leave Christ hanging on a Roman cross. But there's still so much courage and conviction there! Much like Jack Bauer, Christ must face malicious scheming and cowardice and betrayal. Much like Jack Bauer, Christ must respond to a vast barrage of false charges. And much like Jack Bauer, Christ must make a whole series of sacrificial choices in order to redeem the ones he loves.
This is a compelling drama-- a drama that speaks volumes about God and humanity and the relationship between them. Yet, looking back on almost 20 years of ministry, I haven't preached too many sermons about it. After all, if you start preaching about Christ's Passion on Palm Sunday and finish on Good Friday, you don't have a lot of time! But most of these scenes are just too good to pass up. That's why I'm going to do things differently this year.
Taking a hint from the "24" TV show, I'm going to preach a whole series of sermons about a single day--the last day of Christ's life. I'm going to start with the Lord's last Supper on March 6 and Christ's promise of the Holy Spirit on March 13. Then, after returning from a 1 week conference, I will continue with Christ's arrest in Gethsemane (March 27) and his trial before Pontius Pilate (April 4). That trial will lead to Christ's crucifixion on April 10 and the chancel choirs beautiful rendition of all these moving scenes just 1 week after that. Needless to say, this is going to be a very dramatic season, but I think it will also be compelling and profound.
Since I will be preaching in McDonald Hall, it's also going to be quite lovely to see that big white space decorated with a developing passion theme. Toni Nilsen and Kimberly Ayers Petker are helping me plan this new motif, and I think they will help us see the relational tension in Christ's life increase from week to week. I'm also pleased that Sue Seth will be choosing a few good slides to project on a side screen that help us visualize poignant scenes in this last day that Jesus lived.
Most of you have seen McDonald Hall decorated for VBS and a wide variety of other programs throughout the years, so you shouldn't be terribly surprised.. Sunday worship can and must be different from those events, but I think it will be moving to worship our risen Lord in a space that portrays his sacrifice afresh. After all, Jack Bauer might be your hero on TV, but Jesus is the one who truly lived and died and rose again for us. Thus, I believe it will be a great blessing to relive this last long day with him.
I'll see you in church!
Neal
Fri, Feb 25
7:00 pm - Youth Hangout
Sun, Feb 27
8:30 am - Adult Sunday School
9:30 am - SonLight Singers sing in worship
9:30 am - Worship
11:00 am - CE teachers meeting
11:00 am - Worship and Music Commission meeting
Mon, Feb 28
7:00 pm - Women's Bible Study
Tue, Mar 1
7:00 pm - Most commissions meet
Wed, Mar 2
7:00 am - Bible Study at Carrow's
1:00 pm - Women's Bible Study
4:00 pm - Parent Hangout
4:00 pm - Angel Choir
4:00 pm - Angel and Cherubs Storytime
4:00 pm - GG Devotional/Homework Hangout
4:30 pm - Cherub Choir
5:00 pm - Gospel Gang Choir
5:45 pm - Dinner for King's Chorus and SonLight Singers
6:15 pm - King's Chorus Choir
6:15 pm - High School Fellowship
6:30 pm - Cub Scout Meeting
7:00 pm - Bell Choir Rehearsal
7:00 pm - Prayer Group
7:00 pm - AHEPA
7:15 pm - Junior High Fellowship
7:15 pm - SonLight Singers Choir
Thu, Mar 3
9:30 am - Deacon's Meeting
7:30 pm - Chancel Choir Rehearsal
7:00 pm - Youth Hangout
Erik Larson is the interim editor of the
Messenger.
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