A few years ago, I was working on a resource to help students visualize the gospels in new ways. In a moment of weakness, I started to categorize how many verses each of the Gospel accounts dedicate to different parts of Jesus’ story: 24% on teaching, 10% spent on parables, 11% on healing stories, 3% calling disciples, 4% on resurrection stories, and 5% on “other.” While I was intrigued to learn that more than 1% is dedicated to Jesus foretelling his death, I was struck by the fact that 30% of the Gospel’s witness focus on the events of Holy Week—more than any other section of scripture. Scholars estimate that Jesus spent around 3 years in active ministry, by time alone, Holy Week represents less than 1% of Jesus’ ministry. Or to be more accurate, .64% of his ministry becomes the central narrative of our faith and one of only a few stories we return to each and every year.
When I start a Bible story, there is a moment, just a few words in, when a child will squint and give me a wary look asking, “Haven’t you told this story before?” or declares, “I’ve heard this story already.” There’s an implied question, wondering if, indeed, this story is worth a repeat; if it’s worth their time and attention. I was taught long ago, to answer the question, with a shrug “I don’t know, maybe you’ll hear it in a new way.” Some of our students accept this challenge, while others continue skeptical. When I gave this challenge a few weeks ago, a student conspiratorially told their neighbor, “It’s probably another story about God’s love.” Indeed this old story that takes up so much of the Gospels, is the story of God’s love. But can we hear it in a new way? Can it speak to us this year? Can we hold it with the same care that made the Gospel writers spend 1 out of every 3 words trying to capture these seven days?
Maybe you have an answer to those questions. Maybe you’re looking for one. Maybe you know which part of the story will speak to you this year. Or maybe you’re ready to be surprised by the possibilities. Will it be the bright green palm fronds waving, or music giving voice to ancient words, or times of prayer, or the sign of bread breaking, or the solemnity of a cross on Friday at noon, or the cool of an early morning or the blast of brass and the bright white of an easter Lilly? I wonder How will you hear the story this year? I wonder how God will speak in new ways through ancient words? I wonder how you will see the story of God’s love poured out?
As you prepare for Holy Week, the 1st and 2nd graders are excited to share their work. Panels will be hanging in the atrium. Each panel tells one story from Holy Week. The projects are cooperative and process driven—look for the explanations to accompany each image.
