This week is Holy Week and to remember and celebrate all that Jesus did for us, I read Benjamin’s Box: The story of the Resurrection Eggs with the children. As I read and we got further into the story, the children (even my squirmy three year old) sat still and listened intently.
The story of Jesus is my children’s favorite story, it is the one they ask for every time we reach for their Bible stories. And I have found that to be true of most children. Isn’t that amazing how even little children understand how special Jesus is?
Much to my surprise, I got choked up as we were reading how they were beat, spit and mocked Jesus. An overwhelming feeling of sadness came over me. This was just a story I sat down to read the kids as part of our Bible time for school. I wasn’t prepared for this emotion, so I instantly tried to hold it back, I didn’t want the children to see me crying over a book.
Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face. (John 19:1-3)
But, as I was fighting with my emotions, I so clearly felt the Spirit telling me to just let it go. Let the children see my reaction and feelings towards the way my Jesus was treated. I realized in that moment, they needed to actually “see” how much I loved Jesus, because he wasn’t just “my” Jesus, he was theirs too. This is part of their understanding of how deep our relationship with the Lord can be. I quickly learned that by showing my faith to my children in very vulnerable ways, it allows me an opportunity to be a very real part of their faith walk.
Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:28-30)
As I continued to read the story, my voice got choked up, I had to stop and tears started streaming down my face. My five year old looked over at me with big saucer eyes herself and said “Mommy, why are you crying?” In my emotion, she was getting teary eyed and I could she that she was struggling with her own feelings over the story.
I simply replied, that I was sad. Reading about what they did to Jesus made me sad. I let her know it made me sad that he went through all that terrible treatment for me, and for her and for everyone. He allowed himself to be mocked, beaten and nailed up on that cross because he loves us so much.
But, we had a part in Him being there. I can’t “do” things to earn or pay back what he did for me, because it can never be enough. However, I can show my gratitude and share the “gospel” with others.
The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled… (John 19:35-36)
I highly recommend reading Benjamin’s Box together with your kids. It can have a profound effect on your celebration of Easter too.
What special opportunities have you been given to be more transparent with your children about Jesus’ love? I would love to hear your stories and comments. It always gives me inspiration to hear how the Lord is working in your life.
Thank you.
What a nice story. I love your site and the Christian aspect!! I’m telling others about you and couponing in general.
Thank you – Gob Bless!!
Thank you Teri, welcome to Faithful Provisions and I am so glad to have you as a reader! Let me know if you need help finding anything here.
Kelly, I had such a similar moment with my kids on Monday night. We are reading a fabulous book that has a reading and bible story for every day of Lent. So on Monday I was reading about the whipping and trying to explain to my kids (7 & 8) how BAD the beating was, and I started crying. I was so overwhelmed by the physical attack. Then as we saw a “preview” of the next day, it said, Jesus takes up his cross, walks to Calvary and meets his mother. My daughter said, HIs mom was probably glad to see him, don’t you think? And I just couldn’t even answer my voice was so choked up. I tried to explain — that’s her little boy, and he’s got blood all over him, and he’s been beaten and abused, and he’s innocent. So while she may be glad to catch one last glimpse of him, she’s so, so sad to see him being treated that way. And he must be so heartbroken to have her see him. And I thought with my mother’s heart about how painful that would be to see our own sons in that condition. (I’m crying again now thinking of it) I think my kids were really impacted by seeing me taking this so literally, so deeply — this isn’t a pretend story, this is real, Jesus was real, this really happened — all for us!
Thanks for sharing — and giving us the opportunity to respond.
God bless! Thanks for sharing!
Dear Kelly,
It was so uplifting and beautiful to read your sharing about reading to your children and your openness of emotion. We have those emotions and experience tears and choking up because we love Jesus and we are so grateful for what He has done for us at Calvary. For your children to see you so open is very important — and that you explained to them why you had tears was very important, too.
He went though all the sufferings and pain for ME and for EVERYONE–wouldn’t it be so wonderful if everyone knew this and accepted HIM–? As you wrote: “He allowed himself to be mocked, beaten and nailed up on that cross because He loves us so much.” Who else would ever do this but Jesus?
Thank you for this entry.
Happy Easter coming up.