I went to Maunday Thursday services tonight. (Lloyd was asleep on the couch. Absolutely no judgement on my part because he gave his Tenebrae chapel at school today, which is awesome and tiring.)
Anyway, while I love, love Jesus, Lenten services are difficult for me to attend. I am predisposed to guilt and melancholy anyway, and the sorrow – while good for me, is also just hard. Sorry to sound like a whiner. It’s the enormity of what Jesus has done for us – it’s almost incomprehensible.
This year one of my friends at work gave us this awesome Bible that reads like a story, and every story shows that God has a plan to send The Rescuer. Each day we read a chapter at the start of naptime and it’s just wonderful. This week we have re-read the story of Holy Week, and yesterday’s chapter was about Jesus praying in the garden: ‘God was going to pour into Jesus’ heart all the sadness and brokenness in people’s hearts. He was going to pour into Jesus’ body all the sickness in people’s bodies. God was going to blame his son for everything that had gone wrong. It would crush Jesus.’* That thought/image was gnawing at me as I watched them strip the altar at the end of tonight’s service.
(Here’s where the post makes a sharp, really wrong turn.) So, anyway, after the cathartic crying in the car afterward, I went to go buy some milk and cereal as a treat for Lloyd’s breakfast tomorrow. He’s a big fan of Special K Red Berries. When I saw the name of the store brand, I laughed out loud in the store.
Yes, yes, cereal. In a few hours you will essentially be me. Thank you for the laugh.
(*I didn’t type that from memory, by the way. Amazon has The Jesus Storybook on sale for $1.99 now for your Kindle/iPad. I did cry a little typing, though.)
Peggy says
I like that book for kids. Although the part of what Jesus endured is crushing in any age language.
A song that always makes me cry is Gethsemane from Jesus Christ Superstar. I cry because of what’s coming….and then when Jesus accepts his Father’s will, I completely break down. You are so right that it is incomprehensible that He would do this for us.
Btw: Send me some of that cereal. I’d like to essentially be you.
Brad says
I love Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services. They are so full of love. And of course Easter Sunday is the perfect follower. At my church in Baltimore and my church here, there is no benediction on Thursday or Friday because the three services are all considered one unit.
Lauren says
Same here -- no benediction because it continues on to Good Friday.
Gretchen says
I hear you on the Good Friday emotion, Lauren. I always feel like I should act sad all day Saturday, mourning Jesus’ death.
Lauren's mom says
Lauren, I love the video you have on Facebook about Holy Week.
“He is rised!” say the little ones.
Lauren says
Hee hee- Thanks, mom! I’ll put up a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT1JZk2Et0I