Planted between the past and the future

Eager guides in Jerusalem offered to show us the location of the cross. “Come, I will show you where Jesus died,” they called out with certainty in their words. They did not want to show us where the cross may have been, but rather where the cross was. Each was certain of the location; and I suppose if you are a guide, certainty becomes important. The reality, of course, is that we do not know its exact location. And perhaps that’s just as well.

In the New Testament, the authors show the importance of the Cross through their descriptions of the death of Jesus. However, none of them mention its location even though the Cross plays a crucial role in the New Testament writings. In a sermon preached on October 23, 1999, Walter R. L. Scragg aptly noted that “the Cross is planted between the past and the future.”* What happened on the cross matters and gives it this monumental role in history and faith. Jesus’ crucifixion and its meaning are central messages of the New Testament and the Christian faith.

Jesus anticipated the Cross.

Matthew records detailed comments from Jesus about His upcoming crucifixion (Matt. 20:19; 26:2). To me, Jesus’ willingness to die on the cross reveals His character. It answers the question “who is this Jesus?” Jesus—Creator of “all things” and Possessor of life (John 1:3) —willingly allowed Himself to be crucifi ed. It was His absolute commitment to His mission of salvation and His personal love for each that made such an astonishing act a possibility.

Some cannot accept Jesus’ death on the cross. Some months ago I attended a meeting at a place of worship that is not a part of the Christian community. Jesus was mentioned in many positive ways; the presenters expressed admiration for Him and talked positively of His return. What they could not accept was His death on the cross—it just could not have happened. They argued that God simply would not have allowed Jesus to die. In fact, these individuals, with great sincerity, explained that Jesus escaped and continued to live in a far-off country.

The disciples’ report.

But the Gospel writers report Jesus’ death in detail. Even though His advance statement about His coming demise escaped them, they later report with certainty His death on the cross. In fact, they exhibit such a certainty of the death that they were surprised (even shocked) that He arose. Once they recovered from the shock, once their faith was reborn, they publicly embraced Jesus’ crucifixion (Acts 2:23).

Paul tells the world.

Not satisfied just to report Jesus’ death on the cross, Paul used the Cross as a reference point representing power. He reminds the Colossians that “having disarmed the power and authorities, he [Jesus] made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Col. 2:15, NIV). From shame to triumph—that’s Paul’s message of the Cross.

The cross today.

Unfortunately the cross has been used for purposes other than to announce Jesus’ triumph over evil powers. Some centuries after the New Testament era, the cross was used by armies, with the hope that their political mission would be blessed by its presence. No longer was it a symbol of conquering evil; rather, it was used with the hope that its presence would conquer human enemies.

Today I notice a disturbing trend. I see individuals wearing the cross even though they have no commitment to Jesus Christ. In fact, some wear the cross even though publicly they feel comfortable abusing the name of Christ. Do they think of the cross as a “charm” that will do something for them? Ignoring Christ, but wearing the cross—what possible reason would there be for wearing it?

As preachers of the gospel, our role should not be to make the cross popular. Our role is to present the Christ of the cross and the message of the Cross. With the Cross planted between the past and the future, the message of the Cross becomes a message of forgiveness and hope for the future. Once the New Testament writers started proclaiming the Cross, they had hope in their hearts. That should be the source of our hope.