4.15.22
Today we have arrived at our destination. For the past six weeks we have been journeying together through the season of Lent knowing what was before us. We have finally arrived…we have arrived at the cross. Most often in life there is a sense of accomplishment or happiness when one arrives at a destination. However, in this case, arriving at the destination, the cross, is not a cause for celebration or even accomplishment. There is more of a sense of shock, sadness, even despair as we are once again reminded of what humanity is capable of doing to other human beings.
It really is rather interesting what we have done with the cross. Think about it. The cross was a device used by Rome to torture and execute prisoners. The cross being used in this manner didn’t originate with the Romans, but as some historians say, they perfected it’s use. This is exactly what we remember, today of all days. This is the day that Jesus was nailed to a cross and died. It is interesting that a device used in this manner would become a central object and symbol of the Christian faith considering it’s brutal and hostile past.
As a pastor, you can imagine that I have become a collector of crosses. As I spin in my chair, I see several crosses that are a part of the memorabilia that I keep in my office. There’s a Jerusalem cross that I got while in Jerusalem. There’s a paper cross on my bulletin board, colored and given to me by a Sunday School Student. There’s a sleek cross made of glass. There’s an ornate cross made of Olive Wood that also came from the Holy Land. I believe that one came from Nancy’s Grandpa. There’s a cross that is made from an old hymnal. There’s a cross on my shelves that is from the church I grew up in. One of my favorite crosses is made from old, weathered barn wood. A number of these crosses were used as pew decorations for a wedding and then given to the church. I like that one so much because of its roughness – there’s no attempt to make it look “pretty,” so to speak. I have a beautiful Black Hills Gold cross given to me as a farewell gift from a church I served. I’ve got a wooden cross that fits so nicely in my hand. I’ve got a bronze cross that is heavy. Holding it makes me think of the weight of the cross. You get the point…I have a lot of crosses.
How interesting it is that years ago in Jesus’ day, one would not want to get to close to a cross. Now you see crosses everywhere and on so many people. It might seem that our culture has gone to the other extreme. The cross is everywhere because it’s become more of a fashion statement or a decorating accent. I’ll admit there are times I would like to go up to a person and ask them what the cross represents for them as they wear or display it. Actually, that probably wouldn’t be a bad way to connect with people and gain new insights into how people think and what they believe.
For us as Christians, the cross is such a central symbol of our faith because of what it represents for us as followers of Jesus; it represents sacrifice, it represents redemption, it represents forgiveness, it represents a new identity. This list could go on and on.
But today, on this Good Friday, I am wearing one of my own crosses. It’s a cross made of three-square nails. I wear it, especially today, to remember it was three nails that held Jesus on the cross. Yet the more I think about the meaning and power of this day and the cross, that isn’t true either. You see what really held Jesus to the cross…was love. His love for you…and his love for me! “For God so loved the world, he gave…”
Serving Together,
Pastor Keith