The whole story.

I have just returned from seeing the revival of Godspell, one of my favorite musicals and bearers of the gospel. For those unfamiliar with it, Godspell if a musical based chiefly on the Gospel according to Matthew. It retells the parables of Jesus in a lively and entertaining way and contains many memorable songs. The show takes a theological turn in the second act as it heads to the finale’, and the crucifixion and Easter always bring the show to a full, emotional circle. Tonight, as Judas arrived to betray Jesus, a woman grabbed the hand of her daughter and quickly left the theater. It was not because they had somewhere else to be. It was because she wanted to spare her child from the pain and suffering to come.

I have thought of nothing else since I saw them exit. While I understand the desire to avoid the end of the story, to spare one’s daughter (and one’s self) from the pain and suffering, it is essential to the story. Without the cross, there is no tomb. Without the tomb, there is no Gospel.

The woman who left the show is not unique. Jefferson cut out pieces of the Bible to create one that was more to his liking. Churches selectively edit what they discuss for fear of causing unrest or losing members or decreasing pledges. In the end, the story is incomplete. It may be easier to understand or “swallow,” but it isn’t the Gospel.

I am afraid the woman at tonight’s show reminded me not only how we edit the Christian story but our own also. How many times have I told people some of my story, but not all? How many times have I elaborated on the good parts and skipped the bad? How many times have I danced through the happy songs only to leave when the music changed keys?

Looking back, I can see how incomplete my story is if it doesn’t include everything. While it may be difficult and cause people to leave, it’s only when the good and the bad, the happy and sad, the life and death are included that the Gospel is found.

I can’t explain it. I cannot change it. I just know it’s true, and I hope one day the lady and her daughter know it too.