We were running late, one of the last guests to be seated at Crystal’s cousin’s wedding on Long Island.  Everyone was looking good…gold embroidered saris, three-piece suits, dripping from head to toe in gold jewelry…you know, the stuff you expect at an Indian wedding.  I was one of the only white guys in a sea of Indians…it’s okay, I’ve played this part before.  We had just sat down and were still getting the kids settled in when Ezra whispered to me, “Look Daddy, I can see Jesus’ underwear.” *  I looked up and saw the giant crucifix hanging in the front of the sanctuary.  From there, he rattled off a barrage of questions: “Is that the real Jesus?”  “Why is his head hanging down, is he sad?”  “Is he dead?  You can see all of his blood spill out everywhere.”

And as the wedding processional began, I found myself fumbling through sharing the gospel with my four-year-old son.

I started to explain that Jesus died for our mistakes….because he loves us so much, but another question came before I could finish my answer.  He never took his eyes off of the crucifix…he was fixated.  And then he asked the big question, “Daddy, if Jesus came back from the dead why is he hanging on that wall?”

My head started spinning with how to explain to Ezra that that life-size Jesus on the wall was just a copy…that the real Jesus is no longer on that cross.

How beautiful is it for a 4 year-old to ask his daddy questions that aren’t easy to answer, and how beautiful is it that I still get the chance to answer them.  I’m thankful for that giant crucifix dominating a sanctuary because it provoked that conversation…the kind of conversation you pray for, but have no idea when it’ll show up.  I pray its not the last.

I’m so thankful that Jesus went to the cross and I’m thankful that he’s no longer there.  And I’m thankful that I get to tell my son why that matters.

I had the chance to tell my son who Jesus is and as he grows, I have the chance to show him who Jesus is.

*Tangent: My first thought when Ezra said that phrase was an Easter play I saw years ago at my grandpa’s church.  The actor playing Jesus sat Indian-style and neglected to adjust his robe so we got to see his boxer-briefs for a good 10 minutes…and yes, at just the right angle for full viewing.  It was awkward.