First Thoughts: For the Reign of Christ Sunday, the lectionary suddenly shifts to a scene right in the middle of the resurrection, which might seem strange at first. On a Sunday when we're celebrating Christ's power and strength we encounter him at the point of his greatest weakness and suffering. But maybe that's the point. At the height of his pain, Jesus demonstrates a different kind of power than we're used to seeing. This isn't the power to force others to do things against their will, but to keep the heart open and flowing in the middle of all circumstances. In the middle of the turmoil, Jesus is steady. He continues to behave as himself, forgiving those who hurt him and offering comfort and love to one who calls for help. This is the epitome of true spiritual integrity, being able to hold the center, to stay who we are no matter the circumstances. Many of us have likely received advice on how to "stay cool" in difficult situations, things such as counting slowly to ten or taking a deep breath. Although these are simply devices, they can be effective in taking us out of the emotion of the moment to get in touch with our calmer core. A similar device used by Christians has been the memorization of a simple prayer that can be repeated over and over throughout the day and can be called up at a moment's notice when needed. A song, a color, or a favorite image of God could work just as well. What is your "go-to" response when you're trying to get in touch with your deeper wisdom? If you can't think of anything offhand, consider what might work for you. Remember that all spiritual strength comes with regular exercise. You might consider making a decision this week to use your centering response as often as you can to create a pattern of using it. See if it "rescues" you from any hasty reactions!
Teaching On Your Own: (Attempts the tree pose in yoga, a standing pose where the heel of one foot is held against the inside of the opposite knee. As Leader 2 attempts this pose, have him or her constantly losing balance, falling around in an exaggerated fashion.) Hey guys. Do you know what I'm doing? It's yoga, the tree pose in fact. It's supposed to help me develop a better sense of balance. (falls over) I can probably use that, right? Hey, I have an idea. Maybe if I just keep my eyes focused on a single point on the wall it will help me not to fall over. Let's give it a try. (looks at the wall and completes the pose) Hey, it works! (looks around and falls over) Well, it was working. I guess it really does help our balance if we can keep our focus somewhere, right? In our lesson today, staying focused was especially important for Jesus and for another man, a criminal. Today's story is about Jesus being crucified on the cross. He was crucified with two other men who were criminals. Now you can imagine this was a very difficult time for Jesus. Most of his friends had left him, he was about to die, and was in terrible pain. But with all this happening, Jesus was able to stay focused on who he was in his heart. He offered forgiveness to those people who were killing him. And he offered compassion to one of the criminals who was dying alongside him. See, the criminal knew that he was going to die soon, and he wanted Jesus to forgive him his past wrongs and welcome him into heaven. Jesus told him all was forgiven, and he would certainly be welcomed into God's house. It's hard to imagine that both of these men are facing death, and yet here they are just talking together, isn't it? When we really look at it we see that Jesus isn't the only one focused here. The criminal was pretty focused too. Jesus was focusing on keeping his heart open and loving, and the criminal -- well, he was focused on Jesus. And in that moment the world just faded away. Like me (does tree pose). Steady as a rock.
Teaching As A Team:
(Leader 2 attempts the tree pose in yoga, a standing pose where the heel of one foot is held against the inside of the opposite knee. As Leader 2 attempts this pose, have him or her constantly losing balance, falling around in an exaggerated fashion.)
Leader 1: Um, (name)? What exactly are you doing?
Leader 2: (continues to stumble and fall) Yoga.
Leader 1: Oh, is that what that is?
Leader 2: Yes, see? This is tree pose. It's supposed to help me develop a better sense of balance. (falls over)
Leader 1: Looks like you could use that! Hey, why don't you try something? Try keeping your eyes focused on a single point on the wall while you're picking up your foot.
Leader 2: Okay, I'll give it a try. (looks at the wall and completes the pose) Hey, it works! (looks around and falls over) Well, it was working.
Leader 1: Yeah, it helps when you're able to keep your focus. In our lesson today, staying focused was especially important for Jesus and for another man, a criminal.
Leader 2: A criminal?
Leader 1: Yes, today's story is about Jesus being crucified on the cross. He was crucified with two other men who were criminals. Now you can imagine this was a very difficult time for Jesus. Most of his friends had left him, he was about to die, and was in terrible pain. But with all this happening, Jesus was able to stay focused on who he was in his heart. He offered forgiveness to those people who were killing him. And he offered compassion to one of the criminals who was dying alongside him. See, the criminal knew that he was going to die soon, and he wanted Jesus to forgive him his past wrongs and welcome him into heaven. Jesus told him all was forgiven, and he would certainly be welcomed into God's house.
Leader 2: It's hard to imagine that both of these men are facing death, and yet here they are just talking together.
Leader 1: Yes, it seems that Jesus isn't the only one focused here. The criminal was pretty focused too.
Leader 2: What do you mean?
Leader 1: Jesus was focusing on keeping his heart open and loving, and the criminal -- well, he was focused on Jesus. And in that moment the world just faded away.
Leader 2: Like this. (does tree pose again) Steady as a rock.
Leader 1: You said it.
Closing Prayer: Loving God, thank you for creating that still, quiet place in our hearts where none of the world's noise can enter. Help us to find that place ourselves so we can act out of peace and kindness in all circumstances with everyone we meet. In Christ's name we pray, Amen.
Follow-Up Lesson: To reinforce this message in a home or classroom environment, start by giving the children a chance to try out the tree pose themselves. First have them try to keep their balance while moving their heads back and forth and looking around. Next direct them to find a stable point on the wall and try again. Ask them to share the difference they find between the two. Review the story a bit, painting a picture of all that was going on at the crucifixion. Jesus had been left by most of his friends, he was in pain and facing death, and an angry crowd was yelling at him. Ask the children what would be going on in their minds if they were in Jesus' place. They might feel angry, fearful, or hopeless. It's hard to imagine that they would still be concerned about the people around them, but that's just what Jesus did. First he offered forgiveness to the people who were killing him and then he offered kindness to the criminal who asked for help. How was Jesus able to keep his heart loving and open in the middle of all that was going on? It must be that he was able to keep his focus on how much God loved him, and how in spite of all that was going on, he knew that in his deepest heart he was going to be okay. That's what it means to live in faith and to know that all is well all the time. Because Jesus was able to stay connected to his faith, the criminal was also able to grow in faith. He turned his eyes on Jesus, and he knew that -- even though right now things were difficult -- he was going to be okay too.
Encourage the children to think of things that happen in their lives which make them frightened, angry, or upset. What do we usually do in those circumstances? Now suggest that instead of acting out of those emotions they turn their focus to God. How do they feel when they really know God is with them? Safe, relaxed, happy? If we could only hold onto that feeling all the time, then no matter what other people are doing around us, we will act out of kindness and love.
For a craft idea, provide each child with a piece of poster board and markers or crayons. Allow the children to decorate one side of the poster board with symbols of God's presence in our lives (cross, rainbow, sunshine, hearts). Then have the children bend the paper over on itself, decorated side out, creating a cylinder, and staple it into place. Trace around the end of the cylinder on a piece of translucent tissue paper (preferably white), adding about a 1/4 inch allowance around the edge. The children can then cut out the circle they've made. Ask the children to pick something that would help them focus their attention on God. It might be a special image or a color, or it might be a simple word or prayer, like "God is with me." Have them draw or write the words they've chosen in the middle of the white circle and then attach the circle with tape on one end of the cylinder. Explain to the children that this is their "God focus device." Whenever they need to remember that God is with them and to find peace in a difficult situation, they can look through this cylinder to see their reminder. Note that when they look through it closely, holding it to the light, that everything else is blocked out -- only the God reminder remains.
