Execution or salvation?
Walking in the shadow of the cross on this next leg of the journey
There’s a large wooden cross that looms in our worship space. My brother constructed it two decades ago during a vacation bible school that we hosted for the community. It was a prop then, but it’s a fixture now. There are other artistic adornments in our building that ebb and flow, coming and going with the season of the time. But that cross is fixed. Immovable and unmistakable.
It stands up straight amongst us while we sing our songs of worship. It presides over the moment while we receive the proclamation of the gospel. And we all walk alongside it on our weekly journey to the table.
As an image of religious identity, a cross is a ridiculous one. A lion, a warhorse, or an eagle is surely a much stronger candidate. We’ve become regrettably accustomed to the sign of the cross. We gold plate it for jewelry and bedazzle it for our bumpers. But in doing so, we effectively neuter it of the gravity it ought to demand. An ancient execution device is a preposterous symbol for any sort of allegiance.
Yet there it looms, that old rugged cross, mounted to the wall as a signpost to lead us home. The shadow it casts will guide us through this next season of Lent as we journey towards Golgotha with our God.
If you dare, join me on Wednesday morning anytime between 7-9am to receive the sign of the cross in ashes on your forehead. Last year’s palm leaves have been reduced to ash. During Lent, our hallelujahs will be stifled to a whimper. The sign of the cross affirms our allegiance and reminds us of our reality – from dust we came, and to dust we will return.
And because of that cross, our hope in life and in death is that we belong to Jesus Christ, who gives life, and life eternal.
I’ll see you at the cross on Wednesday.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Alexander