Kingsland, TX: Impact... (WARNING!!! Some may find this graphic)

Remember a few days ago I told you about the church in Kingsland, TX that was robbed?  I blogged about their Easter presentation, "The Last Supper".  Remember I mentioned something at the end.... I'd share the most impactful, most controversial part later?  Well, here it is.

It was a great production, especially considering all they had just gone through the two days before.  There was no crucifixion though and that left me a little empty.  Like... we had only seen the first act but act two wasn't happening.  Almost like it devalued the most important part of Easter and my life for that matter;  Christ's death, His payment for ME and my horribleness.  That part was missing.  I felt rather let down, despondent.  Sad.  Empty.

After the production ended, we were offered refreshments in the other building.  Such laughter and gaiety was heard as we made our way past "the disciples", onward to that desired chocolate cookie, punch and OH!!!  Maybe even brownies!  Maybe the brownies would fill the void (nope, not gonna go there!).

In order to get to the other building, we were escorted through the double doors into the courtyard between the two areas.  As soon as you left the comfort of the main building, the sounds of beating, moans, screams, EXCRUCIATING wailing, and terrifying cries of EXTREME pain created us.  Silence quickly ensued.

I say "controversial" and "graphic" because it pierced me to the core.  I've seen "productions".  I've seen dramas where Christ is crucified and they moved me.  REALLY moved me.  But this... I can't even explain.

The youth leader played the part of Christ.  He wasn't Phil, he was Christ.  I mean, I didn't "see" Phil.  The man I heard, the man I saw tortured, the man I saw look at me through bloody, weary, swollen shut eyes... the man that connected to me, saw me, suffered for me.  That wasn't Phil.  It was Christ.  In fact, even doing these images has been excruciating to a point.

I suddenly panicked!  I had to be close, I had to be right there!  I found myself squatting, asking people around me to move, pushing forward, trying to hide behind a pillar, hoping He wouldn't see me.  But at the same time, IMPLORING Him to make the eye contact that I knew would pierce through my very soul.

The sounds of the women pleading for the soldier to set Him free, the SCREAMS of agony as He was whipped... the enemy roaming around behind Him.  It was all too much.  I couldn't move.  Tears streaming down my face, I stayed.  It was so surreal.  Was I really there?  Was He really in front of me now?  My mind knew the answer, but my heart... it knew the better one.