Cross Wall Art -- Colors of Christ
From the Stable, to the Grave, to the Resurrected LORD!by Lynette Tillner
The following information is an adaptation of ideas I found here at SundaySchoolNetwork.Com. We began with a wall mural in December that is condensed into the Nativity Scene, below. In late January we created our "Old Rugged Cross" and then adapted the Colors of Christ Cross Necklace and Poem into seven individual crosses (also described below).
Last week (1 week before Palm Sunday) we added our "Tomb" and on Easter morning the children will arrive at the doorway, which is covered in gold paper with big black letters stating:
"Why do you seek the living among the dead?" (Luke 24:5b) and "He is not here; for he has risen, as he said." (Matthew 28:6a)
The last cross in this series is the "Mission's Cross" from SundaySchoolNetwork.com (to be completed in April). We plan to create this cross in felt and hang it in a prominent place as a reminder to all of us that we need to TELL THE WORLD WHAT HE HAS DONE.
Also, as a celebration of completing our study, the children will perform during a service. They will sing "Jesus, Thank you for the Cross," from Family Worship, a song we've been learning as part of our study, and they will talk about each cross as pictures are displayed overhead.
This ongoing project has blessed all of us at Living Faith Community Church where I am fortunate to attend and to share God's love with our children. I hope this will give you ideas to implement with your students!
The Nativity Scene
This scene is condensed from our study that took place from mid-November, through Advent and Epiphany.
We studied:
* Prophesies in Isaiah that the Messiah was coming
* Appearances by Angels to Mary and Joseph
* The birth in a stable
* Angels appearing to the Shepherds tending their flocks
* Wise men bringing gifts of frankincense, gold and myrrh.
We also remember that without Christ’s death on a Cross and His resurrection on Easter Sunday, we would not have as much reason to celebrate Christmas – Jesus truly is the reason for the season!
The OLD RUGGED Cross
(Large Brown Cross)
The cross is the symbol of the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus paid for the sins of the world.
The brown cross was created in the first 2 weeks of our study and shows what we knew about Jesus in late January when we began our Journey from the Stable through the colors of Christ as depicted on the Cross to the Resurrected Lord!
This was the introduction to our study of the "colors" of Christ represented in the picture.
The RED Cross
(Christ's Blood Shed for US)
Symbolizes Christ’s blood shed for you and me.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us...we have been justified by his blood...” (Romans 5:8-9)
The great news is that God loves you and me and sent his perfect SON, Jesus, to be punished in our place. When Jesus died on the cross, he took the punishment that we deserved. (2 Peter 2:21-25.)
The BLUE Cross
(Water/Spirit Baptism)
Represents baptism.
“...one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” We are baptized with water to identify ourselves with Jesus. (Ephesians 4:5)
The Holy Spirit baptizes those who trust in Jesus and takes up residence in the believer’s heart. If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. (Romans 8:9)
The PURPLE Cross
(Royalty and Repentance/Remorse)
This Cross stands for the crowns we'll wear! (2 Timothy 4:8)
When you believe in Jesus, you are part of God's royal family. We are a royal priesthood. He has promised his children a crown and a special room in his mansion in Heaven for eternity! (1 Peter 2:9-10, 2 Timothy 4:8, John 14:1-4.) (John 19:2)
The GOLD Cross
(Eternal Life)
Represents eternal life with Jesus in Heaven. It also represents God's perfect light (Matthew 5:48, Revelation 21:22-23)
God is perfect and holy. Sin cannot be with God (Revelation 4:8b)
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Gold represents value and worth. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the event that gives our lives meaning and worth. He is worthy of our praise as we adorn his altar with the color of splendor.
The GREEN Cross
(Christian Growth)
Represents growth in our faith.
“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God...” (Colossians 1:10)
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalms 119:105)
The BLACK Cross
(Our SINS)
Reminds us of our sin which separates us from God and dooms us to eternal darkness.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
“Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” … remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:11-13)
We have a huge problem! The Bible tells us that we do wrong things, we sin. It is impossible for us to be perfect!
The Bible also tells us that our sins must be punished, and that blood must be shed to cover our sins. (Hebrews 9:22)
The WHITE Cross
(Prayer of Repentance For Cleansing)
Represents the cleansing that occurs when a sinner repents and turns to God.
“Have mercy on me, Oh God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” (Psalm 51:1-2)
Only Jesus' perfect blood can make us clean. (Hebrews 9:11-15.)
White is the color of purity and completeness. It assists in bearing the message that "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow." Christ's triumph from the grave on Resurrection day is the cause for our rejoicing. His purity before his Father becomes our purity.
The Empty Tomb
He is not here; for he has risen! (Matthew 28:6a)
If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith...For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins...If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men...But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead...For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:13-22)
As important as it is that Jesus died on a cross to save us from our sins, the empty tomb is greater yet because Jesus overcame death! He has risen! ALLELUIA!
The Missions CROSS
(We are called to spread the good news!)
The Missions Cross shows the supreme wonderful act of God.
The crown with the three circles depicts the royal throne of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The earth, God's footstool, is pictured below the Heavens. The 'cross/ladder' is our only way to reach heaven.
Apart from the work of Christ on the cross, we would be unable to reach God on our own efforts. (Psalm 105:1-2)
This is the last cross in our study (to be completed after Easter).
It reminds us to "make known among the nations what He has done." Christ has RISEN from the tomb, he has overcome our SINS and made a path to HEAVEN for all who call on his name -- MAKE KNOWN TO YOUR WORLD the good news of Jesus Christ! (Romans 10:13-15)
Submitted in thankfulness for SSTN!
Lynette Tillner, Club JAM Teacher
ltillner@yahoo.com
Living Faith Community Church, Modesto, California
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