After a 45-year absence, I visited my alma mater, Westmont College in Santa Barbara. There, I met a student reading Augustine (354 – 430).
She marveled how he still communicates: “This Lord, our God, the Word of God, the Word made flesh, the Son of the Father, the Son of God, the Son of man, exalted that He might create us, humbled that He might recreate us, walking among us, suffering what is human, concealing what is divine. Let every sigh be a panting after Christ. Let that most beautiful One, who loved even the ugly that He might make them beautiful, let Him be longed for. Hurry to Him alone, sigh for Him.”
Yes.
Thinking of another masterful communicator, Billy Graham, and his recent death (11/7/1918 – 2/21/2018), a friend wrote: “Go to: https://billygraham.org/video/russian-army-choir-at-1992-moscow-crusade/ – a video showing the Russian National Army Choir singing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” in English at Billy Graham’s 1992 crusade in Moscow. Incredible!
The Soviet Union formally dissolved earlier, 12/26/1991. We smile – this is the day after we commemorate the birth of the One so despised by Russia’s atheistic state.
By 10/23-25,1992, Billy Graham was preaching in the former Olympic stadium to about 100,000 people for the 383rdof his 417 crusades. Forty-two thousand six hundred eighty-six signed cards that they had committed their lives to Christ. They believed what the Army choir sang: Jesus had a “glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me – he died to make men holy.”
On the final night, Joni Eareckson Tada (1949 -), a paraplegic since her teens, told her extraordinary story, interpreted by a blind Russian translator. When Mr. Graham spoke, he suffered from Parkinson’s Disease. Yet, despite disabilities, God can use anyone for his Glory.
“They gave Jesus a manger for a cradle, a carpenter’s bench for a pulpit, thorns for a crown, and a cross for a throne. He took them and made them his Glory” (W.E. Orchard, 1877 – 1955).
So we come to “the Glory of the Cross” – a combination of words anticipated by no one!
“Crucifixion”
Death by cross meant horrible struggling death by asphyxiation. Martin Hengel studied the history of crucifixion. References to crucifixion were scant. People were ashamed of crucifixion, and, having witnessed it, they had a deep aversion to it. Often those crucified were further humiliated by being stripped naked. “For the people of the ancient world, the cross was not just any kind of death. It was an utterly offensive affair, ‘obscene’ in the original sense of the word.”
Yet Jesus became “obedient to death” – and can we hear Paul’s gasp of horror before he utters the phrase – “even death on a cross?!” (Phil. 2:8).
The Foolishness of the “Cross”
Jesus’ cross was downright folly to Romans. Archaeologists excavating Rome’s Palatine Hill discovered a third-century drawing depicting a boy worshiping with one hand upraised. The object of his devotion – a figure on a cross who has the body of a man but the head of a donkey! Scrawled underneath the picture: “Alexamenos worships his God.” His worshiping someone who died on a cross made his faith seem silly.
“For the ‘word’ (‘logos’) of the cross (even the very word, ‘cross’!) is ‘folly’ (‘moronic’) to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the ‘power’ (‘dynamite’) of God” (1 Cor. 1:18). The cross is a ‘stumbling block’ (a ‘scandalon’) (Gal. 5:11). As we truly recognize God in his glory and majesty, we also recognize him in the utter humility and ignominious shame of his cross. Friend, please stop and ponder that.
The Trinity Speaking “Cross” or “Crucifixion”
The Father does not speak these appalling words.
What did it mean for Jesus, the Word (Logos) of God, to speak: “cross?” The Greek word “stauros” is used 28-times in the New Testament. Of the 17-times it is used in the Gospels, Jesus speaks it only six times. When he does, he preaches not of his cross but the crosses of those who follow him. “Anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (Mt.10:38).
Think of what it meant for the Spirit to prompt the authors of the New Testament to use the word “cross” 28-times. Through the author of Hebrews, the Spirit says that the cross was “shameful” – disgraceful (12:2). How could he couple this excruciating word with his incomparable Partner, the Beloved Son of God?
Let’s broaden our search to “stauroo” – “crucify” or “crucifixion.” What did it mean for Jesus to speak this word? Again, he rarely uses “stauroo.” Of the 44-times this word is used in the NT, Jesus can only bring himself to utter it three times – twice regarding himself and once of his followers. Imagine what it meant for the Logos – the Word made flesh – even to speak this word about himself. Only Matthew records it.
The Love of God in Christ on the Cross
But, Jesus is God and God is faithful. Jesus spoke the word of his own crucifixion – and he did what it demanded. Out of love for God and love for us, he was betrayed, mocked, flogged, and crucified. Ponder anew what the Almighty will do if, with his love, he befriends you.
As that stirs our heart of hearts, it was at his cross that Jesus “double-crossed” (!!) Satan. Satan’s aim at disgracing Jesus by putting Jesus to death in this shameful way. Instead, in losing – in laying down his life – Jesus won!
Let’s connect these ‘crucial’ dots (note: ‘crucial’ is also derived from ‘cross’). Jesus has transformed an instrument of torture and shame into the symbol of redemption and hope. For our wedding, my bride-to-be, Via, embroidered a Huguenot cross on her wedding gown. Alexamenos’ peers would be dumbfounded.
Jesus, what will you do for an encore? O Lord, give us faith! We are eager to see how you transform sinners like us – those you have redeemed by your cross – into your Bride.
Glory!
