Heres is a walk through the Stations of the Cross experiene, durning the final setup
Background music by Ben Potter (benpottermusic.com.au) and Will Reagan (unitedpursuit.com)
The title 'Easter Fools' is inspired by Easter falling on April Fool's day this year, but picks up on Biblical themes of Jesus bringing about life, restoration, and spiritual wisdom in what may have been or appeared to be foolish. The aim of our presentation of these seven stations is to highlight God willingness to work despite and even with human foolishness. In the Easter story we see what appears foolish, the Son of God, dying a shameful death. Yet, even in this seemingly hopeless and foolish humility, God brings about life and demonstrated that it was part of his wise and powerful plan all along. The Bible say it like this in 1 Corinthians 18 & 25. "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." and "For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength"
We hope you enjoy this production and that you are inspired to see wisdom and foolishness from a different perspective.
Station 1: Foolish Extravagance
The Art: Photography by Kim Rodgers
The Story: Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; Luke 7:36-50; John 12:1-8
When the woman (probably Mary) anointed Jesus with expensive perfume, it was seen by some as a foolish waste, but from Jesus perspective it was a priceless act.
Station 2: Foolish Betrayal
The Art: Video by .... The Lords table by Brenda Felix
The Story: Mt. 26:17-30, Mk. 14:12-26, Lk. 22:7-39 and Jn. 13:1-17:26
Judas is arguably the most obvious fool in the Easter story. The one who has just shown contempt to Mary for failing to value her resources has betrayed Jesus and exchanged heavenly treasures to sell out his master for 30 pieces of silver. Yet God works amidst this foolish act to bring Jesus a step closer to fulfilling his purposes.
Station 3: Foolish Passion
The Art: Poem by Andrew Wilkinson
The Story: Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; John 18:10; Luke 22:49-51
Peter has a reputation of sticking his foot in his mouth and speaking before speaking, here he foolishly acts out of unbridled passion. In his wisdom, Jesus uses this situation to bring healing and reveal more of his purposes and a well-directed passion. His passion is directed to self-sacrifice rather than violence.
Station 4: Foolish Pragmatism
The Art: Video: Script by Daniel Carrigy, Actors Philip Pogson & Georgina Liu, Videography Ben Rodgers
The Story: Luke 23; John 18:28-40; 19:4-16.
Pilate has a dilemma. He can choose what he believes to be the right decision and release Jesus without charge, risking a revolt from the people. Or he can please the people by executing an innocent man. He tries his best to wash his hands of the responsibility. Those in power can choose be wise or foolish with their responsibilities, which did Pilate choose?
Station 5: Foolish by Association
The Art: Sculpture by Monica Moore
The Story: Matthew 27:32,Mark 15:21,Luke 14:27,Luke 23:24-27
Simon from Cyrene was not foolish by choice, in fact he had no choice but to carry Jesus' cross when the soldiers instructed him to do so. To bear a cross for crucifixion would have brought great shame to Simon. However, he would not be associated with a criminal's execution, but intensified with Christ in a history changing moment and he would carry what would become the symbol of the Christian faith.
Station 6: Foolish Conceit
The Art: Artworks by Peter Bosker, Johanna van laar Veth, Jennie Rodgers, James Moore, Erin Pullukaran, and David Johnson.
The Story: Passage: Luke 23:32-43
In his pride, one of the criminals mocked Jesus, the other humbly accepts his punishment and defends Jesus. This man's foolish actions led him to be executed, but it is this very situation, the fruit of his foolishness, that he meets Jesus and finds life.
Station 7: Foolishness of Losing Hope
The Art: Pop-Up Book by Molly Pullukaran
The Story: Luke 23:55-24:11
Jesus is dead, and so was their hope in a messiah. When the women took spiced to the took they found the tomb empty and were reminded of Jesus declaration that he would rise again. Yet even after hearing the testimony of the women, initially the disciples though it to be nonsense, foolishness.
