On Good Friday 2015, the Schweitzer church family gathered together to remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us. A large wooden frame in the shape of a cross had been constructed in preparation for this night and was placed on a table in the center of the room. Each person was given a small clay tile representing our sin and guilt. As we quietly filed past that cross, we placed our tiles into the wooden shape, filling it with our recognized need of the Savior. This simple act helped us remember and confess that we had caused the death of Jesus. “He was handed over to die because of our sins.” (Romans 4:25)
It is that cross that now hangs in our sanctuary on the prayer wall. In the days following that Good Friday service, the tiles were carefully re-situated to create a mosaic which visually points to the crucifixion. Looking closely now, a person might identify the position of the nails, a crown of thorns, a wound in the side, and a tender heart. After the design was complete, each tile was glued in place on the cross in preparation for its permanent home in the sanctuary. Today, photos are taken in front of this cross when people join this church family.
May this mosaic always remind us that it is Christ alone who saves and makes us right with God, and we are united most deeply by our confidence in this truth. “And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We who believe are carefully joined together, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.” (Ephesians 2:20b-21) “Let us cling to him and never stop trusting him.” (Hebrews 4:14b)