9 / 24
The Pinecone
|
March 2016
• 9 •
f r om Don J oh n s on , K i r b y P i n e s Chap l a i n
Chaplain’s COrner
In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, stands the
inspiring monument, “Christ the
Redeemer.” It was erected in the Tijuca
Forest National Park atop Mount
Corcovado overlooking this once
Brazilian capital. Conceived in the mid
1850s, it took 9 years to construct (from
1922 to 1931), at a cost of $250,000, (a
huge amount of money then--equivalent
to $3.3 million today).
Designed by a Brazilian engineer,
sculpted by a Polish-French engineer,
with Christ’s head designed by a
Romanian artist, this magnificent
monument was pieced together with
reinforced concrete materials (created
in and transported from France) and
soapstone (from Sweden).
Rising 124 feet on the top of Mount
Corcovado and 2,300 feet above the
city of Rio, “Christ the Redeemer” was
dedicated in 1921. It is the fifth largest
statue of Christ. In 2007 it was chosen
as one of the New Seven Wonders Of
The World.
March Vesper Services
•
6:30pm
•
Performing Arts Center
“The Redeemer”
Why do over 2 million people a year
visit this place?
“Christ the Redeemer” is a grand
statue of Christ with arms stretched
wide, giving the appearance of the
Cross. Christ’s head is looking slightly
downward as if watching over the city.
It focuses upon the Person of the Cross.
It illustrates the amazing love declared
by who Jesus is and what Jesus did. It
proclaims Jesus alive, powerful and
caring. It illustrates inclusion of all by
Christ’s outstretched arms. From East
to West and North to South everyone
is welcome. Two important scriptures
correlate with this. “Come unto Me all
you who are weary and heavy laden, and
I will give you rest.” (Matthew11:28)
“The one who comes to Me, I will by
no means cast out.”(John 6:37 )
“Christ The Redeemer” captures the
theme of our modern day “pawn shop”
where we come to buy back a treasure
previously sold for a price greatly below
its true value. We are “redeeming”
something we personally want. Peter
expresses it this way, “…you were
not redeemed with corruptible things,
like silver or gold, from your aimless
conduct received by tradition from your
fathers, but with the precious blood of
Christ, as of a lamb with blemish and
without spot.” (I Peter 1:18-19)
Nothing we could ever do and no price
we could ever pay would be adequate
to get us out of the “pawn shop.” It
took Divine intervention and a Sacred
sacrifice.
As we celebrate Easter and its special
meaning let’s join the millions who
have come to the One the Brazilian
monument represents. Let’s allow
ourselves to be embraced by Christ’s
open arms. Let’s make our approach to
Him with faith and hope. Let’s accept
Him as the monument and His Word
declare, “Christ The Redeemer.”
Till next time,
Don Johnson, Kirby Pines Chaplain
March 31st
Rev. Josh Germany
The Orchard
Fellowship
March 10th
Rev. Jeff Findlay
First Evangelical
Senior Adult Ministries
March 17th
Dr. Herbert Hand
Faith
Anglican Church
March 24th
Rev. Richard Smith
Germantown
Methodist
March 3rd
Rev. Birgitte French
Crossroads
United Methodist