For Good Friday this year, we held a funeral for Jesus, and invited everyone to offer a tribute in his memory and place it on the cross at the front of the church. There were so many wonderful and heartfelt tributes! Below are a few that I shared on Easter Sunday as part of my sermon.
“Jesus teaches me what it means to love others.”
“A time in which I felt the friendship of Jesus was shortly after devastating news about the health of a close family member. In a time in which I was uncertain of the future, the possibility of harsh medical treatments and the possible death of my father, I turned to the Bible for comfort. I was reminded that God would not forget his faithful servants. My Dad is a very faithful servant, I felt the peace and comfort of Jesus knowing that he would stand by my family’s side.”
“Jesus means not having to worry about what’s to come. He means that we are able to find joy and hope in every situation.”
“Jesus means everything to me. He walks beside me every day—protects me and loves me. I thank Him for it.”
From one of the children in our congregation: “O Lord I thank you for dying on the cross for our sins. You make me happy, and give me love. Thank you for being my friend” [followed by an exclamation mark and a smiley face, and the paper was carefully folded and placed in an offering envelope with a beautiful offering of 5 cents of Canadian Tire money].
“Jesus, the only Friend who is always there for me, the only friend I can trust completely. He has made all the difference in my life.”
“Thank you for always being with me even when I am not consciously aware of your presence, you are loving me.”
“I cannot imagine life without Jesus. He has promised to never leave me and I have experienced His presence and love through sickness and health. What a treasure and joy to be a follower of Jesus.”
“Jesus, today I’m wearing a very old cross from Ethiopia, and you’re here, as close as skin, and somehow in you all that suffering—the girl who walks three hours for water, and is harmed along the way—all that suffering is gathered up with my own tears, and the agony of my friend who is dying of cancer—and you’re THERE, right in the midst of it—a voice, a hand of compassion. Jesus, give me the courage and the strength to recognize your presence in the suffering of the world, and to do your work, your cross around my neck, close as my next breath. Signed from your friend and follower.”
We don’t often talk this way about Jesus, but wouldn’t it be an amazing testimony and encouragement if we would?