35 mins
The Big Question
Mary Notman, balancing elder, Aberdeen: Ferryhill
“Celebrating Easter is a special time for most of us.
“I always remember a particular Good Friday service held in our Church, possibly about thirty years ago, when only a handful of people turned up to what was to be a very moving service.
“Our then minister and one of our lady elders led the service which made us feel and believe we were witnessing Easter as it happened on the day of Jesus’ crucifixion.
“They were both dressed totally in black which added to the sombreness of the occasion. Everything was just perfect for such a service.
“Once the service was over, we left the Church in silence but once outside my friend and I were so moved by everything that had taken place we burst into tears and, in fact, cried all the way home.
“Not only at Easter do I think of this particular service, and wonder why after so many years I still can recollect it and get that most wonderful feeling by remembering.
“Was it the fact there were so few people there; was it the fact the service was led by our minister and elder dressed totally in black; or was it the amazing content of the service?
“I do not know.
“Perhaps all three added together made perfection to me.
“What I do know is everything was so right and so meaningful that I can never forget it. In truth, I don’t want to forget it.”
The Rev Drew Barrie, minister at Tullibody: St Serf’s
“In 1601 Caravaggio painted the Supper at Emmaus. It was inspired by the incident recorded in Luke 24 where Jesus joined two people walking to Emmaus. Luke says that they were kept from recognising Jesus. In Emmaus he joined them for a meal. They recognised him when he broke the bread and Caravaggio has captured that moment.
“The picture shows Jesus clean shaven. At the time all other paintings had shown Jesus with a beard.
“Caravaggio’s choice was surprising and controversial.
“It was his way of showing that the risen Jesus was still the same but somehow different.
“Although Jesus was in his 30s when he was crucified the painting shows him younger.
Resurrection is not merely a restoring of what was but a making of all things new. “The two disciples are ordinary men. One has a tear in his jacket and the other appears to have a cold. The man serving them is wearing a hat. People thought that this was irreverent, to depict a man in the presence of Jesus with his head covered.
“But this is not a picture from a stained glass window in which Christ has a halo. It is not set in a church but a tavern. Jesus comes to everyday people. The artist has gone out of his way to show the ordinary humanity of Jesus Christ, even the risen Jesus Christ.
“The painting shows them sitting on three sides of a table with Jesus at the head. The fourth side faces the viewer. It is an invitation to join Jesus.”
The Rev Mike Robertson, minister at Culloden: The Barn Church
“The Passion of the Christ is a favourite and difficult film to watch.
“Not for biblical accuracy or dramatic portrayal of the kind of brutal treatment Jesus endured before the Cross, but for what it reminds me about my relationship with Him.
“Many films bring Jesus’ life and ministry alive, but for me, they seem somewhat sanitised compared to this unashamed focus on Christ’s suffering.
“I’ve always watched with eyes tightly closed at some points, and with flowing tears.
“How can it be my favourite depiction of the Easter story?
“Simply because it confronts me with the personal cost that Jesus willingly bore, which enables me to know my creator on first name terms.
“With every piercing sound of the next blow landing on Jesus’ body in the film, during a beating that itself would’ve killed most humans, it’s as if I hear God saying
‘This is how much I love you...
“‘This is what I was prepared to go through and much more for your sake... I laid my life down so that you could call me ‘friend’.’
“Yes, I have life to the full because that wasn’t the end and He is risen, but it came at a very high cost that I haven’t had to bear.
“The film leads me to a deep and vivid reflection, not just on what relationship with God means to me, but also on what relationship with me means to God.”
Dot Getliffe, Deacon, Hamilton
“I am one of these people, who does not usually like to see images of Christ.
“It’s nothing to do with our brothers and sisters in the Orthodox or Catholic traditions, and if I am dramatising a New Testament story with youngsters, either I play Jesus as a voice, with my back to audience, or He is just an ordinary person.
“The musical Jesus Christ Superstar is unfinished! One leaves the show or cinema with an emptiness of heart.
“Why?
“Because The Resurrection and Ascension are not there.
“They’ve missed the whole point!!
“My favourite depiction of The Passover, and ‘kangaroo court scene’ where Jesus is tried, can be seen in the children’s Lego film or in the children’s’ bible storybook by Bara van Pelt and Anya A de Fruiter. “It is rare to find a non blue eyed long haired white Jesus. There really need to be more dark skinned Jewish-faced pics of Jeshua, wearing the customary head covering common at the time!
“I think every Easter image should be used sparingly, and with integrity. Just because it pops up in Google Images, doesn’t mean it is suitable.
“Youngsters and adults with Additional Learning Needs can also greatly benefit from seeing thoughtful images.
“Remember these pictures will lodge themselves in minds and hearts, so how we paint non verbal images is important to getting to know by faith, the real Biblical Saviour and Lord.”
The Rev Sandy Strachan, retired minister
“I’m going to be a little controversial here, and plump for a film that you would not normally consider to be an obvious Easter depiction.
“Almost every Christmas, most of us, gathered round the TV set, tune in to a beloved old family film: It’s A Wonderful Life.
“It’s an all-time favourite, an essential viewing at that Holy Season.
“Yet, it’s one of the darkest movies ever (it was a failure when first released in the cinema).
“We all know the story; how Jimmy Stewart, thinking that his life has amounted to nothing, is on the verge of suicide, but is ‘saved’ by the ‘angel’ Clarence.
“He is shown – in flashback – what life in his small town would have been like, had he not intervened, even in a small way. “It’s a picture of awfulness and hopelessness and more.
“As a result, horrified and contrite at what the world (his society in microcosm) could have been without his positive intervention, he is saved – if you like, resurrected, to a a new and positive mission.
“This is not just a film for Christmas nor Easter, but for all time – when we realise that our post-resurrection acts and deeds can indeed make for a better world.
“Because of Christ, we live – may we make our life more than just living – and give life to those around us.
“This is, because of the Risen Christ, a ‘Wonderful Life’!”
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This article appears in the April 2017 Issue of Life and Work
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