“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You
are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place
where they laid him…Mark 16:6.
When my children were in grade school or younger, our church did a
performance at the Civic Center called Malchus. It was the Easter story told through the eyes
of Malchus, the servant of the Jewish High Priest, Caiaphas, who participated
in the arrest of Jesus.
Performing Malchus was no
small task! Numerous rehearsals took
place weeks before the performance, including several dress rehearsals. Also, several performances were given
throughout the Easter weekend! However,
each of us knew how important it was to share this beautiful story! And honestly, we had a lot of fun too!
I loved the opening scene! The
stage was full of adults and children waving their hands and palm branches…yelling
“Hosanna…Hosanna in the Highest” as Jesus walked through the crowd of
people!
All three of my children participated in the performance, which included
them in the opening scene. They would
skip on stage with much enthusiasm! Each
year, one of the smaller children ran into the arms of Jesus, while he carried
the child around the stage!
I remember watching my daughter run into Jesus arms one year, and a few
years later, watching my youngest son also run into his arms! Tears would run down my cheeks as I viewed
this scene and pictured the real Jesus doing the same thing as he walked this
earth…opening his arms to embrace the little children!!
As the story unfolded on stage, I often wondered about the people in the
audience.
Did they attend church?
Were they attending the performance for the first time or had they seen
it in previous years?
Had they heard this story before?
Were their hearts being touch…softened…and did they walk away that
evening a changed person?
I know our desire was to impact our community…to share the gospel of
Jesus Christ! And I believe we did just
that!
As the story unfolded, there was one particular scene that deeply
touched my heart during each performance!
Jesus had just been sentenced to death, and was led off stage to be
crucified!
His followers were left on stage…sitting on the floor…weeping. The lights dimmed and the auditorium was
extremely somber and quiet during this scene!
And then you heard it!
The sound of a hammer ringing out loudly! The sound vibrated across the stage and
throughout the auditorium as you heard nails being pounded into the cross! It was ominous…piercing deep into your soul!
At this point of the scene, you were no longer pretending to weep…the
tears that flowed down your cheeks were very real!
But praise God…the story didn’t end there!
Scripture reminds us that three days later, after purchasing spices to
anoint Jesus’ body, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome were on
their way to the tomb where Jesus had been buried to anoint Jesus’ body. They were wondering who would roll away the
stone from the entrance of the tomb.
God’s word says…”but when they
looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled
away. As they entered the tomb, they saw
a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were
alarmed…Mark 16:4-5
“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You
are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place
where they laid him…Mark 16:6.
Jesus… was no longer in the tomb…praise God! He had risen and was alive!
Finally, we come to our final scene…another favorite of mine! Everyone would come back on stage and sing…He’s Alive…lifting voices in praise and
worship to our risen Lord!
These words of praise and worship filled the auditorium:
He’s Alive, He’s Alive,
He’s Alive and I’m Forgiven
Heaven’s Gates are Open
Wide
He’s Alive, He’s Alive,
He’s Alive and I’m Forgiven
Heaven’s Gates are Open
Wide
He’ Alive, He’s Alive,
He’s Alive and I’m Forgiven
Heaven’s Gates are Open
Wide
He’s Alive!
The joy of the moment overflowed to the auditorium, and often the
audience would stand to their feet…joining us in this time of praise and
worship!
Dear ones…I hope this story is a familiar story to you! And if not, I hope it is one you hear this
Easter!
Our Lord and Savior… died on the cross…rose again and now is seated at
the right hand of God…Hebrews 12:2.
He is risen...He is risen indeed!
Dear Heavenly Father…thank you
for sending your son to die on the cross for our sins! Thank you for the free gift of
salvation…thank you that you desire for not one of us to perish! I pray your message will be heard this Easter
and in the days ahead! May all come to
know you as Lord and Savior!
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