This week during family devotions we have been learning the hymn, “There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel’s veins; And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.”
My children know that God takes sin seriously. Very seriously. They know that when someone sins, God’s justice demands a death sentence. They also know that Jesus paid that price for them, with his life and his blood.
Ask my little ones. They know that there is no forgiveness and no salvation apart from the cross.
That’s why I was so shocked to read this letter! The Sunday School curriculum producers at First Look have decided to share a kinder, gentler message this Easter. They say, “the crucifixion is simply too violent for preschoolers.” And they realize it would be confusing to tell about the resurrection without mentioning the crucifixion.
So they are just skipping the whole thing altogether.
Instead, they are telling preschoolers that “Jesus wants to be my friend forever”.
My church doesn’t use this curriculum. So why do I care? I care because there is no Christianity apart from the cross. We read in Hebrews 9 that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” We can’t “be friends with Jesus” unless it is by way of the cross.
The message of the cross may be a stumbling block to some and foolishness to others, but to us who are being saved it, alone, is the power of God! That holds true for our children, as well. They will only be saved “through faith in His blood” (Romans 3:25).
Let us not hide the bloody cross from our children. It is only when we look on Christ’s suffering that we can understand how sinful we truly are, and how much we need to be washed with His blood.
“Ye who think of sin but lightly Nor suppose the evil great
Here may view its nature rightly, Here its guilt may estimate.
Mark the Sacrifice appointed, See who bears the awful load;
‘Tis the Word, the Lord’s Anointed, Son of Man and Son of God.”*
*”Stricken, Smitten and Afflicted” by Thomas Kelly, 1804
Thank you for this wise viewpoint! I pray that others will come to share it. It is sad to think that some would rather not be “bothered” by how “difficult” the message of the cross is. You are absolutely right. Our boys learned from day one how we are nothing apart from the cross of Christ. Thanks for teaching your children the Truth, and for sharing this here for others to consider! I was just considering the cross as I posted awhile ago on my blog the words to Getty/Townend’s The Power of the Cross. They lyrics are there, if you’d like to read them:
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/baronsteam
Many blessings to you and your family as you celebrate this Easter and contemplate what our Savior did for us at the cross!
I am just FLOORED! Come to my house and see the “nails” stating our sins that we’ve put on our walls to remind us of the part we played in His crucifixion. My children have always known His great sacrifice on our behalf–because without it, we would live in eternal darkness. I’m too shocked to even articulate my dismay fully.
Deb
http://www.AsWeWalk.typepad.com