The cross is one of the most recognisable symbols in the world. Some people see it as an aesthetic ornament that is beautiful to look at. It is made into a pendant and worn around their neck or carved into the skin as a tattoo motif. Others feel antipathy towards the cross. Seeing the cross means compromising one's beliefs, so it should not be seen freely and should be hidden. Others see the cross with both trepidation and awe. It signified the love of God who sacrificed His Son for the salvation of the world. Finally, sinful mankind has been atoned for at the costly death of Christ the Son of God on the cross.
But long before any meaning of the cross was born, grew, and dwelt in the minds of men. In the beginning, the cross was a symbol and medium of vicious punishment. John 19 recounts the intrigue after intrigue, the origin of the cross inflicted on the Lamb of God. The Jewish religious leaders and the Roman empire represented by Pilate conspired to convict the innocent. In the end, Jesus carried His cross with His own strength. Tens of kilograms of wood had to be carried to a place called the Place of the Skull. He was crucified in the midst of "two others on the other side" who are not referred to as thieves in John's gospel, for the emphasis is on Jesus' position in their midst. A sign was placed on the cross, reading, "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." The words were written in Hebrew, Latin and Greek. An irony was on display. The statement was the real truth that Jesus brought about who He was, instead it became a demeaning accusation from Pilate. Interestingly Jesus never denied it, but was given an explanation by him that prevented any misunderstanding. He is not a king in the manner of the rulers of the world but a King who bears witness to the truth, to the mystery of God.
Then the soldiers took His garments and made four parts, one for each soldier, and they also took His robe. John's gospel juxtaposes the soldiers' actions as a fulfilment of Psalm 22:18. He wants to emphasise that the soldiers did not have power over Jesus, but were under the power of God's plan which they carried out. Jesus' death was preceded by the administration of sour wine, which is recounted in all the Gospels, but in John's Gospel, it became the moment when Jesus uttered His last words “It is finished!” He had finished drinking the cup given by the Father (John 18:11), then gave up the Spirit. His mission had truly been completed. He was obedient to the Father's will even to the point of laying down His life.
It is at that point that the cross becomes a sign of majesty rather than humiliation and condemnation. Just as Jesus gave His mother to the disciples so that they would become one family, so the churches of Christ are built into one Family of God on the foundation of His great work on the cross. At the same time Jesus also seemed to give us a message that following Him will always face the cross. We will always carry it because when we follow God, we are actually willing to leave all our sinfulness, reject temptation, and strive to be His disciples. In fact, it is never an easy thing and even full of suffering. However, we are invited to bear it steadfastly as Jesus who first took up the cross for our sins.
The experience of carrying the cross was never meant to be easy, controlled, or comfortable. Kosuke Koyama, a Japanese theologian once said, "There are no handles on the cross!" That means the cross that followers of Christ must bear is indeed heavy and far from efficient. But following Christ does mean carrying something uncomfortable, which cannot be "managed" by our own strength. We cannot look for shortcuts in carrying the cross. Unfortunately, modern-day Christianity tries to "put handles" on the cross to make it more efficient and easier to bear. The theology and teaching of following Him is reduced to a transactional act. To follow Jesus is to be free from suffering, to be rich and successful, and to never be sick. Following Jesus is like investing in the right place. The cross has turned into just a symbol to decorate the worship space, because those who look at the cross today seem to refuse to "carry it" truly. So may on this Good Friday we truly respond to Jesus' invitation to take up His cross. Join in His suffering by striving to be followers of Jesus who truly live in His example and teachings even though it brings us suffering.
Reflective Questions: What is the concrete form of "taking up the cross" in the context of our lives today?
