Walking On The Road After Easter At Our Christian School

Luke 20 tells us that two disciples were walking on the road, heads hung low in disappointment as they trudged along. What to do now? This so called Saviour they had was dead, crucified by an angry mob. They were no doubt overwhelmed with the events of a week of swift progression that ended in despair. I picture them visibly shaken and disillusioned and feeling very alone.

Then Jesus, very much alive, came to join them on their plodding journey to Emmaus. Their cloud of grief and shock didn’t allow them to recognize him for who really was, and they told him all of their troubles presuming he was a talkative stranger not aware of what happened in Jerusalem.

As a child I couldn’t understand how they so easily missed him – he was right there! As an adult it is easier to understand how that happened. The story hadn’t unfolded the way they had it all figured out and they had their hopes dashed to the ground in only a few days. Their focus on the immediate had made them see the event unconnected to bold prophecies and clear promises from the prophets of old. Being so consumed with their troubles also caused them to fail to recognize God’s presence – Jesus – right there with them.

As a school that also walks a road each year with plans, there is an application of sorts for us. We organize and plan things as they make sense to us. We may find ourselves focusing on the immediate when we get tired and disillusioned. Yet God journeys with us, listening to us tell him what he already knows and has full solutions all planned our, and blesses us anyways because He knows what we need and His love knows no end.

On the roads we (and our children) walk, may we recognize our Risen Saviour. Praise God that we practice that walk every day at our Christian school.

SJ

The Resurrection and Our Christian School

“How deep the Father’s love for us,

how vast beyond all measure,

that He should give his only Son,

to make a wretch his treasure.”

Our families and our churches have already begun reflection and observance of the narratives and faith rituals of Easter. The familiar grooves of the above refrain were with me this weekend as I worked. It left me with this question in my mind:  What does the resurrection mean for the Christian School?

The gift of grace that comes from our resurrected Lord means that all of our students are not defined soley by their weakness, shortcomings, or failures.  God promises that “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion” (Philippians 1:6) which for us and our students is a source of great encouragement to remain steadfast in our pursuit of faithful living and learning – even when success is not immediately apparent.   We are dearly loved people, all of us, and even in our brokenness God promises to do great things with us. He is our God, we are His people.

Riding a donkey, washing feet, and serving the Last Supper to his disciples – these are images for us today that ought to cause us to reflect. For us and our students, Jesus’ death and resurrection plants a vision in our minds and hearts of a radically different kingdom where power is not equated with wealth, power, or prestige. We direct our students to a kingdom that has come and is still coming that. We see evidence of it as students serve, forgive, seek justice, praise, and show grace as Christ modeled them all for us. The Christian school is a place where we look to help plant and ignite that longing to follow Christ in all areas of life, capturing the “first love” of our students and orienting it toward their creator.

In the hope of the resurrection,

SJ

Twin Giraffes and Knowing Your Name

While on bus duty before school last week, I was introduced to a giraffe. A pair of them, actually, that were peering out from under the flap of a backpack of a kindergarten student bringing them to school for a visit.  I asked what their names were.

“Gerald the giraffe” was the quick response.

“What about the other one?” I asked.

“They are both Gerald, that way I won’t forget the other one’s name and don’t have to worry about which one is which.” 

Some more questions and giggles followed as we considered the laughable idea that everyone should have the same name for sake of efficiency and ease of remembering.

What a blessing that our children are not one indistinguishable being among the world’s 7.5 billion, but rather were uniquely and specifically “knit together in [their] mother’s womb” (Psalm 139). Along the journey of childhood, we strive for them to hear and understand that God claims them as he did the people of Israel: “I have called you by your name, you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1). Beyond marvelling at mountains and delighting over dandelions with children, it is a responsibility and a delight as parent and educator to share with a child who they are. The same God who made the earth, the skies, and giraffes – knows them personally, loves them specifically, never forgets about them, and claims them as his own. (This is one of the reasons that prayer requests for bandaged thumbs and sore knees are important and need to be understood as faith formation!)

Praise God for the unique opportunity to teach our children this truth at home, church, and LCES!

SJ