This blog is contributed by Jason Ayres, who bears an uncanny name-similarity to another of our church bloggers. Jason is a member of our 6.30pm congregation and is a gifted street-reader and story-teller.
About two years ago, I came across this crucifix, in a box, being shot out on the street. My first thought was, "Well, I've put Jesus in a box before."
The Cross in the Garage
I have studied this particular cross, in a sense, over some time. It says a lot to me about Jesus and the cross of Calvary. Dusty, slightly damaged, unremarkable bits of wood. The tarnished brass. Brass, for the record, is quite valuable but this isn't a well polished icon. But neither is Jesus.
I put it on the wall of my garage. I'm not claiming that it holds any mysterious power, but there are times when I enter the garage and I am tired and frustrated, or I'm in need of repenting, or in need of some type of reflection, and I stop for a moment.
I have told some people about the rather large statue of Jesus on the cross at the aptly named Calvary hospice, where my mother in law died at the end of October, 2018. It's right near the front door. On one day when we would come to visit, I was angry at certain people, I felt cheated by certain people. I would walk past Jesus, and I was grumpy, and it was if somebody one afternoon said to me, "Look over there. That's our standard for forgiveness."
On another day I would be exhausted, worn out and thinking something equivalent to a child rolling on the floor, kicking and shouting, and the thought came to me one day, "Look over there. That's our standard for compassion."
And on it went. It doesn't feel like an exercise in shame and self-flagellation. It feels like a guiding light. A word of correction. Yes,I have put Jesus 'in a box' at times.
“When will this thing end..”
“How will..”
“What if..”
Like the ladies resigned to coming down to Jesus' tomb, "I suppose we'd better wrap this up." And the Almighty says to us,"What are you looking over there for?"
I guess I'd better turn around and see Who's talking to me.
Dear Lord, I pray for a pillar of light in the darkest times.
A renewal of hope,a revival of spirit.
The peace that transcends all understanding.
Amen.
Happy Week after Easter.