This year’s Easter production, The Messiah I Know, depicted the lives of those who knew Jesus in the flesh and what Jesus meant to them. It was a beautiful rendition of His works and a powerful reminder of Who Jesus is.
CN PHOTOS: Daniel Poh
Who is the Messiah? What is it like to be His companion? The congregation at City Harvest Church was brought back to the days of Jesus over the weekend of Mar 25 to 27 with the church’s Easter production that preceded the Easter message.
Titled The Messiah I Know, the drama revolved around familiar Bible characters Martha (Shelia Ther), Mary (Lingual Tan) and Lazarus (Lucas Chia). Martha, the eldest, was always busy looking after the household and worrying over her younger siblings. Mary was deeply devoted to Jesus and was always attending his teaching seminars. Lazarus was the youngest; a sickly young man whose hobby was to invent quirky stuff. A fourth character—Jared (Veroy Chua)‚ was added to the fold as a close family friend.
While the drama opened with emotional monologues by different characters looking for the Messiah, there were several light-hearted moments. In one scene, Jesus advised Lazarus how to improve his “innovation”, a wooden pillow. Jesus’ suggestion that a failed prototype could be used to make music sparked an impromptu jamming session with Lazarus breaking into a rap.
As the story unfolded, the audience was reminded of the many things that Jesus is: Hope, Healer and Peace, and most importantly, Love. Jesus’ love for Lazarus was redemptive: He saw potential despite Lazarus’ failures, a reminder that Jesus does not deem anyone useless because of his mistakes, but sees mistakes as a part of one’s growing process.
One night, Mary returned home from the Mount of Olives with a very sick Lazarus. He eventually died, to his sisters’ dismay. When Jesus arrives at his tomb — four days after his burial — Martha and Mary tearfully questioned Him, “Why didn’t You come sooner?” Jesus commanded Lazarus to “Come forth” and the dead man came out of the tomb.
At the celebratory dinner held in honor of Jesus, Mary anointed His feet with fragrant oil and worshiped Him with a song—the act of worship was presented as a beautiful dance. Jared, jealous of Jesus, became upset and the Pharisees to plot Jesus’ arrest, which eventually led to His crucifixion and Lazarus’ arrest. Jared was filled with remorse at the death of Jesus.
Three days later, Jared encounters a Man asking for directions towards Bethany. Sensing his hopelessness and guilt, the Man offered to hear Jared out and encouraged him that “the same Spirit that raised Lazarus to life, can resurrect any situation,” thereby revealing Himself to be the resurrected Jesus. Jared finally believed that Jesus is truly the Messiah and returns home to seek forgiveness from his family. Jesus appeared before Mary and Martha, proving that He was, in fact, the Messiah they know.
After the drama, CHC’s senior pastor, Kong Hee took the stage and introduced God as the world’s Master Designer. He said that clothing is a meaningful subject in the Bible. “Are you wearing what God, the Master Designer, has tailor-made for you?” Kong asked the congregation. He shared that when Jesus proclaimed, “It is finished” on the Cross, the Master Designer had completed His work. In heaven, the fabric of righteousness has been woven with threads of redemption. Sharing testimonies of people he encountered, Kong told the congregation that they are no longer clothed in sickness and disease, no longer donning the clothes of Satan’s bondage and fear, and no longer clothed in sin and sorrow, for God has given the robe of healing and victory.
The altar call for salvation saw over 1,700 people streaming towards the front, giving their hearts to Jesus. This year’s Easter service touched the hearts of many, proving that Jesus is still very much alive—He is not in the tomb for He has risen!
Chua Kim Peng, 39, a managing partner in a financial advisory firm, says that the CHC Easter production impacts him every year. This year, especially, he reflected upon the Great Exchange on the Cross as he watched the drama. “The three illustrations preached by Pastor Kong really speaks to the congregation as these are the issues impeding the world from living a victorious life as destined by God. When I see so many responding to the altar call, it was an amazing sight to behold. Indeed, the harvest is plentiful!”
Cheyenne Tan, 16, a student, felt the re-ignition of the love for God in her heart. “I could feel the love that God has for me. It made me realize what God truly has in store for me and the miracles He upholds, that despite what happens in the near future, He is good and He will always be good.”
