Cross

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Cross

Power   Wisdom

Signs   Wiser   Stronger

We Proclaim Christ Crucified

Called

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:23

...but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and absurdity to Gentiles,

Reflection

The cross can seem ridiculous to many people. If Jesus is truly God, how could He have been crucified? He made the whole world. It doesn't make sense that He would suffer the fate of a common criminal.

Those who look at things logically cannot fathom this outcome. You would think that people would be bowing down before Jesus and recognizing Him as a King.

Instead, Jesus comes speaking about the Kingdom of God and some cannot comprehend what He is sharing. The authorities decide that He is dangerous. He is accused of blasphemy. He must be put to death.

We can certainly relate to this. Think of all the times when something you said or did was misinterpreted and the other person took offense. Our intention was to point out the truth or to be helpful or to make a suggestion and it was taken out of context. The other person got upset and a feud started.

The message of Jesus was both simple and challenging. He encouraged us to love God and neighbor but also challenged us to love our enemies and to turn the other cheek when someone attacked us. 

He associated with sinners and outcasts. He healed those who were sick on the Sabbath. He threw the moneychangers out of the Temple. He questioned some of the accepted practices of the authorities. All of this got Him into trouble and led to His death on the cross.

The cross has become for us a sign of loving commitment and faithfulness to mission. We know that there will be times when we will face suffering and hardship just as Jesus did. We have seen that with martyrs who in ancient times and today are willing to put their lives on the line for truths that they embrace.

We greatly admire our first responders, police, and soldiers who are willing and ready to put their lives on the line for the safety of others. The cross might be seen as absurd to some; but we know what it means: a willingness to love and care for others.

The cross is Jesus showing us how to live and how to love.

1. Does it make sense to you that Jesus was crucified?

2. Do you think of Jesus as a dangerous person?

3. Did you ever experience a feud starting with someone you knew because the person misinterpreted something you did or said?

4. What does the cross signify to you?

5. What do you see as you reflect on Kathy's photo?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)