For several years now, our church has held “The Hunt” for our community. We had between 700-1000 attendees at the event this year, set up at one of our local elementary schools.

Families enjoyed watching their children play, win prizes, hunt for eggs. The children played in a bounce house, tried their hand at carnival games and crafts, had their faces painted, and ate popcorn and donuts. After all that, they hunted for 10,000 eggs (divided by age groups for safety and equity). The youth group helped set up and put out the eggs at the appropriate times.

Working the Hunt

Don and I enjoyed volunteering in and around the game arcade. Inside, I was one of three volunteers manning different games. I repeatedly bent and squeezed between games to pick up balls. Each child had five tries to throw the plastic ball above one of three towers where, if they threw it well, air would keep the ball rising. Don found and returned the balls that were thrown hard enough to fall outside the arcade. Both our backs were sore by the end of the day!

Children of all ages lined up for our games. We encouraged the parents of some little ones to hold them on the edge of the arcade on their knees, so the littles had a better shot at hitting the goal.

Why do we hold The Hunt?

Why do we do this? Spend money and lots of time to plan, set up, volunteer, tear down the settings? To serve our neighborhood and invite those who are interested to join us to learn more about Jesus Christ.

Jesus calls us to be salt and light in the world. I’ve tasted unsalted food. You can  get accustomed to it; but it’s not very flavorful. https://www.carolloewen.com/the-savor-of-salt/

Our Palm Sunday celebration was three days ago–the commemoration of when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey. He was greeted like a rock star of the day, with palm branches, “Hosannahs”, and “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” Many threw their coats or cloaks underneath his feet to honor him. These people believed Jesus was the coming Messiah, Savior—but they thought he came to overthrow Rome and set up a new kingdom on earth. https://abc7chicago.com/palm-sunday-holy-week-services-christians/14565051/#:~:text=Palm%20Sunday%20commemorates%20the%20Christian,Sunday%20falls%20on%20March%2024.

The Great Hunt

Five days later, many of the same crowd turned against him in violence, and called for his crucifixion. Why?

• He healed the sick, made the lame walk, the blind see.
• Searched for those who would listen, believe, follow.
• Loved all he met, welcoming everyone who put their trust in him, whether Jew or Gentile, whatever nationality or gender.
• Gave women a place of respect and honor.
• Condemned those who abused “religion” – selling doves, sheep for sacrifices right in the Temple court for profit.
• Called out hypocrites, who paraded as pure and righteous when they were too proud to admit their sinful hearts and need for a Savior.

The Gift of the Hunt

I have been given the greatest of gifts – a relationship with the God of the universe through his Son’s death and resurrection. More about that next week. I want to share this amazing gift with others. While Jesus is the King of Kings, he always said his kingdom was “not of this world.”

This Savior is always with us

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20

He intercedes for us when we don’t know how to pray

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:25

Jesus advocates, or brings our case before the heavenly Father when we sin.

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. I John 2:1

I’m thankful for opportunities to serve our community. And multiple times more thankful that Jesus was willing to go from rock star to crucified and risen Savior for all who put their trust in him. That includes me!