As we have been journeying through Leviticus I have been struck by how much the concept of sacrifice as atonement for sin had such a multi-sensory dimension in Hebrew culture.
The sights, smells, sounds and feelings all combined to reinforce the lesson in a way that any good teacher can relate to. Add to that the whole communal aspect of doing it with and for your family, along with your extended whānau and community, and the rituals take on a new significance.
In many ways we have lost some beautiful aspects of understanding the reality of Christ’s sacrifice because our modern culture is individualised and selfish, and so far removed from the Hebrew culture in which His life and death took place.
The sights, smells, sounds and feelings all combined to reinforce the lesson in a way that any good teacher can relate to. Add to that the whole communal aspect of doing it with and for your family, along with your extended whānau and community, and the rituals take on a new significance.
In many ways we have lost some beautiful aspects of understanding the reality of Christ’s sacrifice because our modern culture is individualised and selfish, and so far removed from the Hebrew culture in which His life and death took place.
In thinking of this over recent weeks I have been looking for ways of worship where we could connect with these ideas of sacrifice and community in a modern context, with not just a theoretical or spiritual understanding, but touching them in a tangible, physical way.
So, today we started a cool project together, adults and children alike. We all took a beautiful coloured tile, and smashed it into pieces, while sombrely considering the sacrifice of Christ.
The whole tile represented His life, and as we smashed it we considered the things that we are sorry for, the things that He took on Himself as the Lamb of sacrifice so that we don’t have to carry the consequences of our sins.
So, today we started a cool project together, adults and children alike. We all took a beautiful coloured tile, and smashed it into pieces, while sombrely considering the sacrifice of Christ.
The whole tile represented His life, and as we smashed it we considered the things that we are sorry for, the things that He took on Himself as the Lamb of sacrifice so that we don’t have to carry the consequences of our sins.
That initial forceful breaking of the tile was a tough step. I love one comment from our discussion afterwards, that smashing the tile brought home the reality of our mistakes causing pain to others, starting with Christ, but not limited to that.
It’s not just about receiving forgiveness for OUR sins, but recognising the impact that they have on those around us.
Whether we acknowledge it or not, we are not individuals, we are part of a community: even if that community is just our immediate family or friends. How we live never just affects us alone.
That’s a sober thought.
It’s not just about receiving forgiveness for OUR sins, but recognising the impact that they have on those around us.
Whether we acknowledge it or not, we are not individuals, we are part of a community: even if that community is just our immediate family or friends. How we live never just affects us alone.
That’s a sober thought.
But it doesn’t end there.
After a morning of smashing now we have a box full of beautiful coloured pieces which are ready to be put together by our little faith community to make a mural in remembrance of the cross.
In a week or two we will all work together to create a bigger picture, while being mindful of the things we are thankful for as we place each piece.
Our sacrifice of atonement becomes a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and stands as a physical sign of working through the journey of sacrifice as a community.
After a morning of smashing now we have a box full of beautiful coloured pieces which are ready to be put together by our little faith community to make a mural in remembrance of the cross.
In a week or two we will all work together to create a bigger picture, while being mindful of the things we are thankful for as we place each piece.
Our sacrifice of atonement becomes a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and stands as a physical sign of working through the journey of sacrifice as a community.
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