The Glory of the Cross

“For 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 I was a child I heard a preacher once who bemoaned the fact that the cross was the symbol of Christianity, the focal point in much church architecture, and even popular as a jewelry and decoration “style.” “The cross is a reminder of death and defeat,” he proclaimed, “and the symbol of Christianity ought rather to be something that reflects life and hope, joy and glory.”

Even as a child I knew something was gravely wrong with this man’s message (and I sincerely hope that was an unfortunate blip in his preaching career that he soon regretted). While it is true the cross would mean nothing apart from Christ’s subsequent resurrection, and while it is true that some reflection on the crucifixion can turn morbid and unbalanced for many Christians, the cross of Jesus Christ is central to our life in Jesus Christ, and it is by no mistake the cross has been the most “popular” symbol for Christianity for as long as the message of the cross has been preached.

Christianity is a religion of paradox. Jesus dies to give life; we are called to do the same. Christ is eternal God, yet He becomes a Man capable of dying. He is King of all heaven and earth—King of the Universe—but the greatest thing He ever accomplished for the citizens of His people was to take the form of the lowest of servants, humbling Himself to the point of death, even the most shameful death of a criminal, open to ridicule and public spectacle. If we forget or despise one side of the paradox, we lose the life and hope and glory to be found on the flip side. We glory in the cross because it is indeed a symbol of death and defeat—that has led to life and hope for the one trusting in a risen Lord.

As we approach Eastertide—and there ought to be as much anticipation in us as there is for children at Christmas time—don’t run past the cross too quickly, as if it were something necessary, yes, but too depressing for much time or thought. Rather, as Christians have done through the centuries, firmly embedding it into the woof and warp of their culture as it has developed, glory in the cross—“cherish” it, as the old song says—look upon it as the sign of victory that it is, and “wear it proudly” as you live out the resurrection life through a living Christ. For, as foolish as it may seem to others, the cross is the power of God to those of us who are being saved by it.

“Heavenly Father, we give thanks for the glorious sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ upon the cross for our sins. We thank You for the centrality of the cross in the life of the Church, in the life of our families and heritage, in the life of each one of us as individual believers. We pray, dear God, we would never look upon the cross as something shameful or depressing but rather as the fountain of our greatest good and of Your great glory as a merciful and loving God. We lift up our thanks and pray this prayer gladly in the name of our crucified Lord. Amen.”