April 16, 2006
Tonight I watched a play called The Christ. I’ve seen it over a dozen times. I know the names of all the actors. I can mouth the words to the songs. I even know when to brace for the pyrotechnics. But tonight was different. A friend came with us named Chuck. I don’t know where he stands in his relationship with God. He calls him the “big man”. He doesn’t go to church — not a pass/fail test for knowing God on any given day — but he’s a really cool human being. 
I looked over at Chuck during one scene. Jesus had just healed a man’s daughter. Chuck wiped away a tear. From time to time I peeked at Chuck and, soon, watching Chuck was just as intriguing as the play. Because I began to see the play through Chuck’s eyes. Fresh. New. God began to speak to me quietly, reminding me that Easter is more than just a play. It’s a beautiful reminder of why God sent his son to earth. It’s a reminder of the resurrection — a moment in time that is not only historically founded, but also new life inside of you and me and those hungry for God, like Chuck. At the end of the drama Chuck’s eyes were red and he had a hanky out coz he was touched by the “big man”. And I was touched as I observed this amazing day in a whole new way. Happy Easter. . .
