The Gospels tell the story of God
inserting himself into our story in the flesh and blood of his son, Jesus of
Nazareth. Each biography accounts for
selected events in the life of the Savior according to the audience to whom
they were writing. For example, Luke is
the only one that tells us the story of Jesus in the temple as a young boy of
twelve --- the first year he would have been allowed in the temple. That is a very Greek way of writing about
heroes, sharing a scene from childhood that demonstrates that the hero we know
was already becoming a hero as a boy.
Matthew has a deep interest in
noting how events in the life of the Messiah fulfilled prophecy. His gospel is not chronological and is
instead grouped along the lines of subject matter, a very Jewish way of
writing. His goal is to reach his Hebrew
brethren with the good news. Mark seems
to be written to a Roman audience. It is
a bit more concise. And John’s gospel,
written several decades after the other three, addresses some theological issues
concerning the nature and identity of Jesus Christ that had arisen over the
early days of Christianity.
But
the biographers are on a race to the cross.
In
all four gospels the bulk of writing is reserved for the final week of Jesus’
life. His birth, his boyhood, his three
years as a traveling teacher, are all covered in a Cliff’s Notes kind of
arrangement including prominent scenes and dialogues. But the days immediately leading up to, and
the hours immediately during, the crucifixion are chronicled in dramatic
detail.
It
seems to me the crucifixion of Jesus is the epicenter of God’s story.
Well, of course it is, right? I am not telling you anything new. In fact, the cross has become the symbol of
our faith. It dots our landscapes on
church buildings. It adorns our bodies
in ornate jewelry. It lives through the
ages in art. If you paid special
attention one day to noticing this ancient symbol you would be surprised how
many times you see a cross.
On Interstate 40 just east of
Amarillo, near the small town of Groom, is a cross that stands 190 feet tall. Ten million people pass by this landmark every
year and, according to their website, one thousand people stop. It can be seen from twenty miles away. Interestingly, a group from Illinois was
inspired by the epic structure and decided to build one for themselves. Eight feet taller.
The cross is precious to us as
people of faith. It is a reminder of the
amazing grace and love of our God. The place where my burdens are lifted and my
sins are pardoned. A reminder of the
kind of God Abraham met next to the altar where his son lay ready to be
killed. A God who intervened and proclaimed a promise
that echoes throughout eternity. “I will
provide the sacrifice.”
The cross is the symbol I cling to
in my imperfections, knowing that God loves me even when I am at my worst. It makes me right with Him by virtue of the
one perfect sacrifice to end all sacrifices.
I am righteous in God’s sight because he sees me through the atoning
sacrifice of the unblemished lamb of God.
The lamb’s shed blood ironically washes me clean and makes me pure in
the sight of God.
And
the cross is the place where I choose to die. Right?
It’s
where Jesus died for me. So why do I
have to die?
Jesus
died for my sins, and the sins of the world.
That is what happened on the cross.
He died FOR me. Why would I have
to die? Well, you tell me what we should
do with words like these…
Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and
follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. Luke 9:23-24
TAKE
UP your cross, and follow me…
Take
up YOUR cross, and follow me…
Take
up your CROSS, and FOLLOW ME…
God
did not mean for the cross to be an historical point of reference. He meant for it to be an ever present
reality.
A
tangible answer to corruption and evil.
A
method for human relationships.
A
way of living that counters culture and turns our own world upside down.
A
very bloody way to end bloodshed.
A
call to die… so we can truly live.
And
so I wonder, among our landscapes of steeple supported and sky reaching
crosses, is the cross really visible?
1 comment:
It is such a simple and powerful reminder of what we have been called to do and how we see ourselves in this world. I've been to that location and it truly is a site to see.
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