I Wonder How

Last night my church observed Good Friday. It is hard to call Good Friday a "celebration" and I reserve that for Easter, which is truly a celebration. I can't even fathom the emotions during the three days; the agony of watching Christ die on the cross, the day after of mourning and silence, disbelief and confusion. And then even more confusion and excitement in the reality of the resurrection; looking back at Christ words and life and seeing that if finally makes sense. The words he used, what he said, how he lived. It all actually makes sense.

During our Good Friday service the church family was invited to take communion. A simple act, but a serious one, especially during Holy Week. It always baffles me what to do with communion, as I wasn't allowed to partake of it until I became a Christian and was baptized. In fact, during my early years it was ingrained in me that to eat of the bread unworthily or with unconfessed sin was to face judgment.

During the evening my daughter who is 6 whispers to me that she is a Christian, she loves Jesus and has accepted him in her life. I am still unconvinced; how can I child fully understand? I know when I became a Christian I understood the words, but the principles and all the other stuff I really didn't. I'm now 40 and I still don't understand all that being a Christian is and the beauty and mystery behind it.

I'm still unconvinced she really understands what Christ did and what that means now in her life. I guess I feel this way because every day I'm realizing more and more fully the depths of what it all means.

I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner, condemned, unclean.

Chorus:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior's love for me!

He took my sins and my sorrows,
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calvary,
And suffered and died alone.

When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
’Twill be my joy through the ages
To sing of His love for me.

Do you think a small child can really understand the Gospel? Is there simple understanding and faith enough to "save" them? What happens if they fall away later? Were they ever "really" saved the first time?