So, what do I do with this necklace?
(Lent as vision correction)
(This message is also available at: http://pastorjimdorton.blogspot.com/)
What do you think when you hear the word “cross”?
Christians know the importance of the cross. But sometimes I think that the abundance of crosses, on altars, desktops, necklaces, and t-shirts, might make it so commonplace that it loses some of its…impact. Some non-Catholic folks will comment on the crucifixes used by Catholics, depicting Christ on the cross (as opposed to an empty cross) saying, “they want to keep Christ on the cross”. In other words inferring that they are missing the point of the resurrection. I don’t really think that’s true, but I’m not writing to stir up any debate. The resurrection is the focal point of Christian faith and I believe all Christians, Catholic, Protestant, whatever, denominations understand that. However, it is important that we understand, and try to ever increase our understanding, of the purpose of the cross.
Sometimes we forget until we stop and think about it, that the cross was an implement of torture and death; and long before Jesus’ crucifixion. Josephus recorded one single instance of eight hundred Jews being crucified.
How horrifying it must have been to hear the Man you adored and desired to follow say: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Matt. 16:24)
But how important that we look at the cross. I would never compare myself, in any way (except in his confession to being chief among sinners), to the Apostle Paul, but how I love and relate to his declaration “Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” (1 Cor. 1:17)
And how I appreciate the words of C.S. Lewis:
When He died in the Wounded World He died not for men, but for each man.
If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.
And those of John Stott*:
“Before we can begin to see the cross as something done for us,
we have to see it as something done by us.”
We all agree, I believe, that Jesus did not deserve to die on the cross; but do we see that we do? And that we are, each and every one of us, the cause of His crucifixion?
If it was horrifying for His followers to hear His call to take up their crosses, how much more terrifying for Simon the Cyrene?! As they were leading Jesus to Golgotha, รก certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.” As far as we know, Simon was innocent, and I wonder if in the middle of this madness he thought he was about to be unjustly crucified.
Innocent? Unjustly? It’s almost as if God yelled, “Stop! My Son is the only one innocent here! Any of you are more deserving that He!” It’s like they all got a moment, and we should take the same opportunity, to pause and consider our role in His death.
Then we should fall on our knees and thank and praise and worship our Savior.
May your weekend be blessed, see you Monday, Lord willing, Pastor Jim
*If interested, more about John Stott
http://www.lausanne.org/covenant
http://www.johnstott.org/
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