The Empty Cross #

March 24, 2011

If the last word is the cross, the empty cross, the cross that liberates us from sin, reconciles us to God, and saves us from our sinful desires. Then the first word, or the first step on the path to the cross, must be a stride of love. Jesus’ life, this incarnation of love, was a model of “how-to”. How to treat the marginalized, the pride-filled, the self-righteous, and the sinner… We too soon preach Christ crucified, overshadowing the birth and life of our Savior, we focus on the end without regard to the means. Hear what I am not saying. I am not saying we should abandon preaching the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.

But I am saying that in overshadowing the life of Jesus with the crucifixion, we miss the forest for the trees…What I mean is that in focusing only on His death, we miss the model of His life – a prophetic announcement, a miraculous birth, an incarnational life, a sacrificial death, a momentous resurrection, and His supernatural ascension. So, yes, He died for our sins, so that we may be made whole (holy). Yes, His sacrifice atoned for our transgressions. Yes, His propitiation made a way for reconciliation. I am not denying His act of atonement. I am saying His act of atonement was driven out of love for His Father, which manifested itself in His love for his neighbor, friends, and enemies alike (which is still The Greatest Commandment).

The Gospel Message that is found, is acted out, is incarnated… not in repeating a prayer but in feeding the poor, seeking justice, being a peacemaker, loving God, loving the marginalized, loving the sinner, and loving the righteous alike. This Gospel message is inerrant and found inherently in the Scriptures, prophesied in the Torah, and eyewitnessed in the Gospels. The last word is an empty cross, and the next word starts anew in our hearts with a response of love.