Come, Gaze, Respond
Lenten Series for 2015
Theme
The cross of Christ is a very powerful symbol in that it altered the course of human history by reconciling man back to God. The cross has a polarizing effect. Some stumble at the thought of a torture device being able to accomplish anything. Some are drawn to its meaning and possible implications to their lives. Some rely upon it for daily living. Often, people have varied responses when it comes to the cross and the man who died upon it. This Lent, we will be looking at the cross from the eyes of seven different characters in the Passion narrative.
Pilate: He saw Jesus and truly wanted to let Him go, seeing that He wasn’t a person deserving of death. Even his wife wanted to have Jesus released. But ultimately, the distraction of the crowds and the threat of riots or the loss of his post swayed this man to see it as a means to an end.
Simon A passerby in the story of the death of Jesus suddenly finds himself in the very center of human history. He has an accidental encounter with the cross. Although church history records him as becoming a believer, we are unable to be definitive in our knowledge of his ultimate position on Jesus.
Thief This man was extremely hostile, even joining in with his fellow criminal in heaping insults on Jesus. Something happened in this man, and we see his hostility turning to faith as he expresses his desire to be with Jesus forever.
Crowd What a sight it must have been to see someone who was hailed as a hero earlier that week, ending up sentenced to death upon a cross. As people passed by, I’m sure that there were people curious as to what happened. A few expressed their hatred for Jesus, but the masses were largely unaffected at the sight of Jesus on the cross.
Women The Bible records these faithful ladies as “following from a distance”. Worried that they might suffer the same fate of Jesus, they remain watchful but from a spot that one might say is safe.
Joseph Hailed as the richest man at the time, Joseph of Arimethea is a believer in Jesus but who chose to keep his dedication to Jesus a secret. We might call him a “closet Christian” until the time came for him to speak out boldly about his Lord and Savior.
Mary She saw the cross through eyes filled with tears. It was a horrifically painful sight where she saw her son executed as a criminal.
Different people, different reactions. Our hope for you this Lenten season is to come, gaze, and respond. Come to the services and be willing to hear the story. Gaze closely at the cross. Don’t just give it a passing glance, but rather stare closely to see Jesus and His death. Just don’t stop there. It is safe to look at the cross and see Jesus and remain completely unaffected. This year, may you respond in faith to all that Jesus has done for you.
Series Components
Come, Gaze, Respond consists of services for Ash Wednesday, five additional Lenten services, Good Friday, and an Easter Celebration service. They can be used during midweek or Sunday worship.
Introduction
As an introduction to the series, it is advised that you promote this to the congregation so that they might prepare and anticipate what will be happening. A video called “The Cross of Christ” by Floodgate Productions uses these words in its video. If possible, this video can be shown not only to promote the Lenten series, but it can also be used as a call to worship before each Lenten service. You can find it at http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/mini-movies/9004/The-Cross-Of-Christ.
Monologues
Each service also has an accompanying monologue. They are simple to perform and easy to memorize. Blocking can be incredibly simple by having them perform it while sitting in a large chair in front of the congregation. Extra lighting can be given to highlight the monologue. Each monologue is written with the theme in mind that “contemporizes” the Biblical character and the struggle they are facing.
Service Order
The order of the services can be changed. They are presented to you here in chronological order.
Music
Each service comes with both contemporary worship music and traditional hymn suggestions.
