| |
June 2005 Table of Contents
Ministry Focus
Crucifixion Dramatization!!!
By Joe and Linda Johnson
A live crucifixion dramatization was presented by Mt. Hebron Baptist Church of Mobile Alabama on Good Friday, March 25, 2005, along side a busy interstate. A cast of approximately 50 men and women reenacted the biblical account of Jesus' final hours of life. Dressed in biblical attire, the crowd screamed "Crucify Him, Crucify Him", in the midst of the cries and tears of those who truly loved Him. The more than three hundred on-lookers were swept into the moment by the sound of the nails being hammered, the mocking and jeering of the crowd, and the gasps and words of the two thieves. Above all, the piercing heartfelt cry of Jesus last sayings from the cross penetrated the heart of all who heard. In His ultimate cry to the Father that, "It is finished! Into thy hands I commit my Spirit", the thunder began to rumble, the earthquake shook the foundations of the earth, and screams once again pierced the utter darkness. After what seemed like eerie moments of silence, a Roman soldier, perhaps speaking on behalf of all those that witnessed this event, stated emphatically that "Surely this must have been the Son of God!" Heartfelt sobs loud and soft, gave witness and agreement that we have indeed crucified an innocent man, the Savior of the world!
Why did we choose as a church to do it this way? We believe we are hearing the voice of the Lord say, "It's time to stop entertaining each other within the hallowed walls of our sanctuaries. Those who need the message are outside of the Church. You have rehearsed and celebrated the Easter story for years to and for each other with little or no affect on the outside world. Get outside the walls and share this message to rescue the perishing and care for the dying!" It was our desire to do just that. We prayed that those passing by would look over and get an awesome revelation and say, "Jesus lived and died for me also." We prayed that if they were on their way to some destructive action, their minds and hearts would be immediately changed as they beheld that wondrous cross.
Preceding months of preparation began with our Men's Ministry study of the placement and erection of the crosses for the best effect. The crosses would need to be high enough in the air to be seen from the interstate, and also flexible enough to bend down and go up easily. The Drama team recruited participants, prepared costumes and backdrops and planned makeup strategies that would add a profound believable touch of reality. Then all was surrendered to the work of the Holy Spirit to move as it is willed in heaven!!!
Finally the day, Good Friday, arrived. Cool, overcast and damp, yet we persevered. To prepare for the evening culmination, three men portraying Jesus and the two thieves were hung on the crosses throughout the day beginning at 9 am. We may never realize the full impact that was made on motorist driving by who looked up to see men dressed in blood soaked clothing on the cross. However, some of the affects observed were from the men who hung on the cross themselves saying, "I'll never view this Resurrection Season the same again", "Now I can relate." Many drivers pulled over, got out of their cars and just came near the crosses and stood in silence. One observer in particular asked "Please let me take a turn to hang on the cross, so that I can relate." Others cried just at the sight.
Pastor Joe questions, "It's one thing to see the cross, but have you ever gotten close enough to feel the cross?" I believe what the Lord allowed us to do that day was to bring the cross in reach, so that it could be touched, felt and even believed. As the song was sung during the crucifixion dramatization echoing the words, "On a hill far a way, stood an old rugged cross", we believe many realized that the hill is not far away anymore. We believe that at that cross many saw the light and received their sight!
Back to Top
|
|
