The Cross Hurts

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The crucifixion of Jesus is difficult for us to deal with. It is a bloody event. He was beaten, flogged with cat-o-nine-tails, pierced with the crown of thorns, and nailed to a rough-hewn wooden cross. Many people have trouble watching Mel Gibson's portrayal of the Passion because of the blood and gore and violence. We, two thousand years later, would rather not dwell on what our Lord suffered on that day. Sweating blood, suffocating in His own bodily fluids, crying out in agony – these are things the Lord of Hosts should not endure.

On a deeper level, the crucifixion is discomforting because it is a symbol of shame. Only the worst of the worst were tortured and executed so. The Scriptures call him accursed who hangs on the tree. Only the most grievous sin would bring one to this point.

But more than merely discomforting, the crucifixion is powerfully disarming. The cross of Christ disarms our sinful nature. It takes our sins away, nailing them to that tree through the wrists of our Lord. The cross cuts through our veneer of holiness and self-righteousness, so that we are forced to confront what it cost to free us from our sins.

The image of a crucifix strikes at the heart, because in gazing upon the pierced, bloody body of our Lord, a sword pierces each of our hearts. There is no theology of glory, no triumph of the human spirit here. The cross disarms us, so that we must lay down our weapons, our trophies, our attachments, and bow the head before Him who bowed His head and gave up His Spirit for you and me.

At the same time, the crucifixion is the great act of disarming Satan and his forces. Where that cross was raised, the battle line was drawn. On that hill, the prince of darkness came face-to-face with the King of Kings. As our Lord approached His death, the royal banners were unfurled. The King of the universe staked His claim to His people and His world. The forces of hell marched against this one man, seemingly so weak and forsaken. But the line was drawn – they shall go no further.

The crucifixion is disarming, and yet it is glorious! “Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” See, on the cross, your Lord and God lifted up from the earth, drawing all people to Himself. See, in this weak, unarmed form, the Lord of Hosts routing the ruler of this world. The crucifixion of Jesus has turned the whole cosmos inside out, because nothing is the same after His work is finished. The devil no longer has dominion over the children of God. Evil no longer reigns supreme on earth. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

“It is finished!” Our Lord's work is done. Salvation has been accomplished for all mankind. The war has been won. The standard is set, the banners are unfurled, the flag flies to proclaim the victory of our God. The pain of the cross has yielded the blood of our redemption. The Spirit, the water, and the blood cry out, proclaiming salvation in the name of Jesus for you.

The crucifix is not a symbol of shame, but of life. The crucifix is the sign of our redemption, the banner of victory. It is finished, and it is good.

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.