what would Jesus see?

What did Jesus see?

I have read the triumphant entry to Jerusalem from the eleventh chapter of Mark probably several hundred times in my life, yet, this morning I read something I had never really paid attention to before today. After Jesus rides into Jerusalem, coats and leafy branches are thrown at his feet and hosannas of the crowd are ringing in the air Jesus continues on into Jerusalem and goes to the temple with his disciples. When he goes into the temple it is said that “he looked around at everything.” I have somehow always missed this piece that he went to the temple to look around at everything. He didn’t go there to pray, to teach or to talk with his disciples, but, he went there to look around at everything. I wonder if he was sightseeing, thinking about the future or looking for something in particular.
Yesterday I went to services at Calvary Church in Memphis. I arrived early so I took the time to just sit in the sanctuary and look around at everything. I noticed that the stained glass window above the altar is a tri panel which depicts the birth narrative on the right, the crucifixion on Calvary (appropriate), and the Ascension on the left. In the first two Mary is depicted quite prominently, but in the Ascension she doesn’t appear to be there. Yet, there is this swath of blue at the bottom of the panel which does suggest her presence. I listened to the faint prayers for healing going on at the altar which happens before the 11 AM service. It was a time of holy observation and reflection which seemed to set the tone for the entire worship experience. I felt refreshed and renewed at the end of the service.
I have also had those other experiences of arriving at another church early and heard two people behind me engaged in a nasty conversation about the rector. I turned around and gave one of those polite nods and smiles which I would hope would communicate that I was there, I could hear them and I would rather not. I couldn’t get the interaction out of my head during the whole service and during the preaching of the sermon all I could reflect upon was the crucifix that was behind the wall on the rector as he preached! It seemed like an omen of things to come.
In other churches I have been unpleasantly struck by the depiction of the Christ figure in stained glass, tapestry and painting with very light pinkish skin tones and blond hair. I am offended by the ludicrous nature of these depictions and the racial overtones they carry for me. I wonder why the congregation isn’t, also, offended by the depiction light skin being holy and it makes me question the parish’s spirituality and sincerity. Yet, even in the most offensive of these observations, Christ has often used these moments as transforming. In one such church I was sitting in the congregation trying not to look at this rather large image of the Arian Christ when I was struck by a thought: What happens when Christ doesn’t look like we want him to? What happens when our non-violent, peace seeking and loving Christ turns the table over in the temple and drives out the money changers in the temple? What happens when our image of Christ as the inclusive, accepting and healing savior tells a young man that because he will not leave his wealth behind him, he cannot inherit the kingdom of God? Sometimes observations can be deeply troubling for the soul. Most of the time we are just to busy getting from one place to the other for holy observation and reflection and we can miss the voice of God in the things around us.