Exploring the More of Christ's Crucifixion by Jason Edwards

On the first Sunday of Lent, I shared this story with you that was also a prompt:

Tony Jones was leading a group of students from his Lutheran congregation through confirmation. At a meeting with them and their parents, he asked for a show of hands: “How many of you have ever heard someone say Jesus died for your sins?” All hands went up. “Now, how does that work?” Jones then asked the parents to write down their answers, hand it to the children who brought them, and then asked the children to grade their parent’s answers. “C+!” one child shouted! “That’s generous,” her mom replied. “I didn’t think I did that well!”

On the first Sunday of Lent, I also asked you to write your answer to that question. Afterward, I reflected that no matter the quality and content of your answer, there’s more.

Exploring the more of Christ’s crucifixion has been the focus of our 2022 Lenten journey, with hope that through it all, we might gain far more than an accrual of new terms and ideas. My prayer has been for an increase in gratitude, receptivity, and awe in response to all Jesus has done to bring us more fully into the purpose and presence of our God who is love. My hope has been for our love and devotion to Jesus to deepen.

In February I experienced one of the greatest joys of my life when I baptized my daughter Norah. Many of you were there that day. In her faith story, Norah shared about the evening she made her commitment to Jesus. We were reading together from the Jesus Storybook Bible. She asked several thoughtful questions about what it means to give your life to Jesus and how one does that. I did my best to answer, but I knew my best was coming up short. The silent moments between her questions and my answering attempts were filled with quiet prayer. Finally, my prayers were answered by Norah’s beautiful reply: “Daddy, can I just say yes to Jesus in my own way?” “Why yes Norah (I said stumbling over my words with awe and gratitude), that’s the best way to do it.” Norah then ran into her room, closed the door for a while, and when she returned, she was bursting with joy. “Daddy! I said yes to Jesus in my own way!

That’s my hope and my prayer for all of us as we move to and through Easter this year. I’ve struggled each week to present angles and insights on the meaning of Christ’s cross, with hope we might each catch a personal glimpse of God’s radical love and life-altering power. I know these Lenten atonement sermons have fallen short. My words are insufficient. They’re not enough. But that’s ok because Jesus is always more than enough. Jesus loves you (in the words of the Jesus Storybook Bible) with a “Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love.” Jesus is calling out to you. You can say yes to him anytime you want. You can say yes to Jesus in your own way. That’s the best way to do it.

I hope you will. I hope and pray so many of us will.

On the other side of that yes, God has much more awaiting us all. Believe it.