WAYNE FOWLER: God’s grace is like the broken jar … restored

The Geller family just wanted a little relief from living on the loud edge of chaos. They left their home in northern Israel for a day trip to the Hecht Museum. What awaited them was a new kind of distress, which most parents can relate to.

The museum’s founder believed that visitors would have the best experience if artifacts were displayed without obstruction.

“The museum is not a mausoleum, but a living and dynamic place,” explained the current director, Inbal Rivlin.

That does not mean exposed artifacts should be touched. But it is a risk, especially considering the policy of free admission to families with children.

“All the senses work in children,” Rivlin said, “not just the sense of sight, and they need it. We are aware of this need, and we will provide this experience.”

You see where this is going. The Gellers’ 5-year-old son was just inside the front door when he decided to tilt a jar to see inside. It slipped from his grasp. When the sound of shattering pottery reached the father’s ears, his first thought was, “I hope that wasn’t my child.” He turned to see that a rare, 3500-year-old, Bronze Age jar was in pieces at his son’s feet. The mother quickly whisked the child outside. With a deep gulp, the father headed to security to confess and offer to pay. The upset family left to go home.

The museum authorities reviewed security footage and saw what happened. They did not ask for payment or demand punishment. In fact, they invited the family to return to complete their visit. A few days later, the Gellers did just that. The jar was back in place. The museum’s restoration expert said, “I like that people touch. Don’t break, but do touch things, it’s important.”

It would be a distortion of the policy to ask, “Why does the museum allow children to break artifacts?” No, the museum doesn’t give permission to break things but knows the risk. This is of a piece with the question, why does God allow evil in the world? Answer: He always knew the risk of creating humans with the dignity of free will. He is good, and not culpable when we “break things.” He is loving, and always had a plan for restoration. He had a “purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.” (2 Tim. 1:9)

It is the promise that evil does not have the final say. He defeated evil at the cross to offer you a place in eternity where good prevails.

The Hecht Museum hopes the international interest in the broken jar encourages more families to visit. It is a story of fault and forgiveness, distress and mercy, brokenness and restoration. It is a picture of God’s amazing grace.