To us Christians, the symbol of the cross is the most important symbol in our lives. On the exterior, it is a symbol of shame and sufferings. But to us it is a reminder of the means God had chosen for our salvation. It is also a calling for all Christians to follow the lead of Christ to a life of righteousness, which inevitably is accompanied by personal hardship and sufferings. We need to be aware that this symbol is the target of Satan who works arduously to ridicule and remove it from the world. Sects such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses and others are quick to do this, as they attempt to embarrass any unsuspecting Christian for believing in this most sacred symbol. As we approach the season of the passion of our Lord, then, let us remind ourselves why we value the cross, and why it is of paramount importance to our faith.
Jesus did die on the Cross
Despite the attempts of various sects to deny the crucifixion of our Lord on the cross, it is without a doubt that this historic event had taken place. The gospels all talk in detail about the trial of Christ, His sentencing to be crucified (crucifixion, being a term which assumes the use of a crucifix or a cross), His carrying of His own cross and His death. Hence the attempt by some to use some verses written in the epistles of St Paul to say that Christ had died on a tree or on a stake is misguided, and ignores the bulk of the gospel account of the crucifixion. It is obvious that St Paul was referring to the use of a tree for making the crucifix. But such people make these claims in an attempt to utterly remove the symbol from our lives. But let us be vigilant in preserving with all our might the symbol of our very means of salvation, honouring it, making it our crown in life, our weapon against satan; let us carry it boldly on our foreheads, use it to bless our belongings, stamp it into our very hearts and use it to defend ourselves from our enemies, and come closer to the Lord with it.
A sign of shame
Not too many people like to identify themselves with something which is ‘uncool’, or despised. Most want to be looked at as being strong, powerful, rich, etc. Even the disciples, on realizing that Christ was to be crucified, all escaped and hid themselves (except for St John the beloved). St Peter even denied Christ because of the shame he felt in being associated with Christ at the time of His capture. Those who don’t accept the message of the gospel also see the sufferings of Christ as a weakness, and don’t want to associate themselves with this weakness. To them it seems foolish to be associated with it. But do we realise why Christ has to take the image of shame? Have we forgotten that it is us who should feel this shame? It is us who should be on the cross. But it took the great love of Christ to take our place of shame. Hence whilst some may be embarrassed at this despised image of Christ, we have to remember that this is the symbol of our own shame, the price of our sin; it is also a reminder of the love of Christ which allowed Him to take away our shame. Ultimately those who accept this message are actually declaring that they are incapable of saving themselves from their sins, and that they need God to interfere in this process. But to others, the words of St Paul apply, which confirm that “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1Cor. 1: 18). Further he says:
“It pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe” (1Cor 1: 21).
The Glory of the Cross
As we say repeatedly during Passion week: “To You is the power, the glory, the blessings, the majesty….”This praise is repeated with the background of the events of Christ leading to the cross. The church here is allowing us to experience the feeling of power and glory through the passion of Christ. When we think of the glory of the cross we may think of the sign placed by Pilate: “King of the Jews”; we may think of His power, of which He said: “I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again” (John 10: 17, 18). A references to this glory is dated back to the prophecy of Hosea who said about the glory received after the shame:
“He has torn, but He will heal us,
He has stricken, but He will bind us up. After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up” (Hos.6: 1, 2). Hosea acknowledged that the grave can no longer be a worry for us, as we would be glorified with Christ. So he says:
“Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol?
Shall I redeem them from death?
O death where are your thorns?
O Sheol, where is you sting?” (Hos 13: 14). St Paul repeats these very words:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.
O Death where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory” (1Cor 15: 54, 55).
Yes, it was through the cross that we are able to receive a new power, a new victory; a victory over something which is beyond any earthly power could give, the power to have life when we could no longer have life. On the exterior this power appears to be shame, but in reality it is a shame which carries the essence of real life; eternal life.
Conclusion
We then have to acknowledge that whilst the world regards the death of Christ on the cross as something not to be associated with, something shameful; yet we remember that it was on the cross that Christ received His proper title; “The King of the Jews”. Indeed He has become our King also, for He is the King of kings and Lord of Lords. We need to keep reminding ourselves that the cross of shame became the means to a glorious resurrection, a resurrection to an eternal life which has swallowed up death, so that death can no longer worry us, nor is it a thorn we have to carry.
May the glory of the cross be a source of joy and pride which we carry, and are continually inspired by to the glory of the mighty Lord.
