Several months ago, Sarah overheard me talking to Jeremiah about the crucifixion of Jesus. We didn’t know she was listening. I was explaining Christ’s death on the cross in a way that my logical little man would understand… not the way I’d tell it to my emotional little girl.

I looked up and saw Sarah crying. She had heard everything. She cried, “Somebody hurt my Jesus!” Jeremiah and I could not console her. She had heard that Jesus died and she was heart broken. Having no idea how to make her stop crying, I asked Jeremiah what we should do. He suggested that we let her watch a video about Jesus. Desperate, I searched through our old VHS tapes and found a copy of the Jesus film still wrapped in cellophane.

I held them and explained parts while we watched it together. I couldn’t believe I was letting such young children watch this movie. It’s not Mel Gibson’s The Passion or anything, but the crucifixion scene is still a little too much for a two year old to watch.

Jeremiah and Sarah insisted on watching the movie every night before going to bed. Once, Joel was watching the baseball playoffs and had to watch the Jesus movie instead. How could he tell his little children, “No, I want to watch baseball instead of Jesus…”

Sarah’s fascination with the movie shocked me. She refuses to watch Veggie Tales because there are scary parts, but she’ll watch the Jesus movie? With the storm, the demon possessed guy and Jesus on the cross? That has got to be more frightening than the feather wielding grim reaper who takes Mr. Lunt and the French Peas to the Island of Perpetual Tickling…

Sarah dramatically retells various scenes in the film to whoever will listen. I’ve often wished I had a children’s version of the story, but I never looked for one. I didn’t want to spend the money.

Late last night, Sarah finally realized that we didn’t bring her “Jesus Video” with us to South Carolina. I searched online to see if we could order a copy. Even better. Not only can you watch the movie online… but they have a children’s version!