On the Cross

In many newly built or recently renovated Christian worship spaces these days you will often discover something missing from the contemporary design: a cross or crucifix.

In its place usually is a giant screen and stagecraft used for pop concerts. Ironically, many of these churches have strong stances against “the progressive agenda” and yet when it comes to motivating worshipers they have little concern with putting the cross to the side and centralizing our latest technological idols. And in some cases, even more disturbingly, the cross may be missing but a national flag can easily be seen with a spotlight proudly shining on it.

Some would claim that having a cross in a worship setting is irrelevant since faith is really about where your personal heart is and what your daily actions are. That comeback misses the point I am getting at here.

On Good Friday, when we remember once again Jesus’ death on a cross, it is also a good time for us to challenge our comfortably with sidelining the cross.

Good Friday is the day that enables us to rightly identify Jesus as the Christ. His death was the ultimate holy sacrifice for our sins. For us who follow Jesus, it is the miracle of all time that changes everything. It sets us right with God and sets an example of the type of lives we should lead here and now. Jesus’ willingness to give up life for God’s most precious creation—humankind—gives us a new sense of purpose in all that we do.

If we believe the cross to be so important, shouldn’t we make sure it is central not only in our hearts, but also in our physical worship spaces? Indeed, the cross must have a central place in our hearts first and foremost. And also, as the pinnacle of the Gospel, it should have a central place in our churches. It demonstrates both our individual and corporate (or unifying) belief that what Jesus accomplished on the cross drives every aspect of our lives.

With the courage of the cross always before us, we should strive to go out of our way to bring people together like Jesus. We should share the good news of Good Friday that is for all people. We should give of ourselves in every aspect we can, for the betterment of all humankind.

Let us not be ashamed of the old rugged cross. Let us cling to it dearly. For there we see the Savior of the World. And there we can learn to live similar lives, to the point of death.

Personal note: I have been involved with churches that lack a physical cross or crucifix and that use the latest technology to spread the Gospel message. I also know many of the people in these congregations have a sincere faith in Jesus Christ. My reflections on this blog, including this one, are written to challenge and encourage spiritual growth for anyone who desires to draw closer to the way of Jesus (myself included). May the reader understand that all mentioned here is intended from a place of love.