14 objects what Donkey matters to Egg Christians

14 objects: what Donkey matters to Egg Christians on Good Friday and Easter Christ Victor Sunday? Chocolate rabbit Virgin Mary 6 inch nail Celtic Cross Bandage Lamb Ointment World Divine Fair Trade Chocolate Crucifix of St Francis 30 pieces of silver

Antonia Rolls, 1990 “Jesus on the tube” Picturing Jesus: Fresh Ideas RE Today 12

If Jesus came to Bexley today. . . • Would he be born, not in a stable but in a garden shed? • Would he feed 5000 people at the shopping centre? • Would he walk on the water up the river Thames? • Where would he get crucified?

Carol is 7 15

Jess Dobson age 12 My work is about god in real life. This picture is about showing or making people realise he will be there, but he might not stand out. I think my work links to religion because it has god in it, but it also has a message. My point is that if god suddenly walked down your street you would notice. He would stand out. To make this image I used different paints, pencil and paper. The thing I like best about my work is the way that its different, it’s bright and simple. Where is God? Perhaps he is walking down your street today.

If Jesus came to earth today I wonder: where would he go? Maybe he would choose a football match. He always liked crowds. Perhaps he would score a miracle goal.

If Jesus came to earth today. . . If you went ten pin bowling, and saw Jesus in the next lane, I wonder what you would ask him? How do you think he would reply?

So you’re busy shopping at Tesco and you almost bump into Jesus with a trolley. He smiles. What is he buying? Bread and wine perhaps? Nails? What might be on his shopping list? What would you say to him?

If Jesus came to teach the message of love today, he’d meet the crowds. What would say to us in the 21 st Century?

Back 2000 years ago jealous people had him arrested. Would Jesus end up in the police station if he came to earth today? What for, and what would happen next?

Daniel, 12, has created this image. “Jesus calming the storm. I did this with poster paint. I am symbolising Jesus’ power in his body language, facial expression and the composition of the scene. The boat is overwhelmed by the waves, but the waves are overwhelmed by Jesus. From his fingers, bolts of powerful light burst. He looks like he will when he is crucified because that is when his power was shown most” Picturing Jesus: Fresh Ideas Today RE 23

David, 7, “I think if Jesus came to Earth today he would be a lollipop person, because he helps everyone and is always helping us to be happy. ”

Gabrielle, 6, has created a careful image of the key moment of the nativity story using lots of details from the Bible story and her imagination. Picturing Jesus: Fresh Ideas Today RE 25

Tony, 8, created this amazingly expressive image of the story of Zacchaeus. This traitorous, Roman~ collaborating tax collector persuaded by Jesus to repent of his selfish and avaricious way of life. The disdainful jealousy of the onlookers is particularly well expressed in their wax crayon faces. The image gets beyond the story, to touch upon the importance of generosity. Ask pupils to choose words to describe the expressions of the faces, and a title for the work as a whole. 26

Emilia, 8, writes: “My picture is based on Palm Sunday and it is called ‘Waiting for Jesus in Surprise. ’ My picture shows everybody was surprised to see Jesus riding on a donkey as he came into Jerusalem. It shows that on that day, everyone loved Jesus, and Jesus loves everyone. ” Her vivid figures, with their merry eyes, bring the scene to life. An angelic observer wings away to give a progress report to Heaven. 27

‘The Last Supper’ by 9 year old Harry. He says “The Last supper was happy even though it was the last supper. I have done the darkness closing in. ”

Sunset at the Cross by Nathan, 10 “When I first painted ‘Sunset at the Cross’ I tried to paint the scene of Jesus death. I believe that this painting reflects the sadness of it, and Jesus unselfish love and forgiveness. I put a yellow glow around Jesus to show that he is the Son of God. I also painted Jesus in the rags the Romans would have put on him as well as a crown of thorns. I painted this painting with water colours then went over with chalk crayons in some places. I would like to end by saying that I am very proud of my painting. ” Picturing Jesus: Fresh Ideas Today RE 29

Jane, 14, paints the scene as Jesus dies. Her setting of the crosses in the background enables her to focus on the Christian belief she wants to communicate, about the sacrifice of Jesus for love of the world. The beautifully painted figure of Mary Magdelene, her eyes swollen with tears, is the key point. Muted colours of blue, grey, brown and green enable the mood of the image to match the mood of the moment in the story she has chosen. Compare the image with some other paintings, e. g. by Bernard Buffet and Marc Chagall. How do the artists go beyond the narrative, to the spirit of the events they depict? 30

Where is God? Not here’ by Bola, 12 “I believe that the grave of Jesus was empty, I believe this because He lives today (in my heart)” Picturing Easter / Copyright RE Today 2007

Making it happen with your learners Use the ideas from NATRE’s ‘Art in Heaven’ competition (www. natre. org. uk/spiritedarts). Select the Gospel stories you want to use carefully – give a choice. Ask learners to work out their own ‘turning points’ to illustrate stories of their choice. Give time and space to work. Ask for written notes on the learners’ art. Use ‘Picturing Jesus’ for inspiration. Would your schools like a competition like Art in Heaven? Would you like to offer it to all schools?

Relation to my self: how do I respond to the life of Jesus? Relation to other persons: what does my learning community make of Jesus? Spiritual growth: relational consciousness Relation to the Earth: does incarnation sanctify the earth? Relation to the Transcendent, to God: if God walked here, then what?