The cross (part 3)

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 (1 Corinthians 1:18).

When you look at the cross, what do you see?  Many unbelievers view it as a relic from times when society was primitive and people were unsophisticated.  They feel that religion is a crutch for people who cannot handle reality.  For them, the cross represents values that are hopelessly stuck in the past and have no relevance for today.  Some even associate the cross with ignorance, intolerance, and restrictions on freedom.

Which values does the cross represent to us?  The cross proclaims that evil must be punished.  The cross shows that genuine love involves sacrifice.  The cross teaches the value of forgiving those who’ve done wrong. The cross announces that truth is not always popular or well received, but no amount of intimidation or misinformation can hush it up. The cross illustrates how God can use suffering and grow something wonderful from it.  The cross is just as relevant today as it has ever been. 

The cross is relevant because the death of Christ is historical fact, not some dreamy mythology.  The Son of God actually walked among us in the body of a man. He shared our joys and sorrows, He revealed the heart of God to us, He suffered and died to pay off our debt of sin, and He rose from the dead so He could help us in life and then bring us to heaven.  Jesus is real, and He gives us hope that is real.  It is no mark of sophistication to reject Christ without first getting to know Him.  The ones who are misguided are those who struggle through life without Jesus and mistakenly believe that there is nothing beyond the grave except peaceful non-existence. 

Is the cross associated with some bad things?  Yes, regrettably, because Christians are also sinners.  Christians have twisted Jesus’ words to suit themselves, and ignored God’s commands when passions were running hot.  Christians have treated unbelievers badly instead of with love and respect.  Jesus calls on us to abandon love for sin, not to restrict our freedom but to safeguard our happiness.  Christ wants us to hold people accountable for their sins, not because we are better than anyone else but so they might repent and be forgiven.  When our bad conduct throws mud on the cross, we are grateful that we can kneel in its shadow and receive mercy from the Man who died there.