This Sunday we are studying the story and the message of the Cross that Jesus died on. The Christian Cross might be the most recognizable physical symbol in all the world. You will find in virtually every cemetery in the westernized Christian background world rows and rows of crosses over the burial site of the dead.
On our first ever trip to Europe Patty and I took our young kids to plenty of memorable historical sites. The most striking site we visited though was the American cemetery in Normandy, France. Of course, Normandy is the historically famous site where the Allied Troops landed on the beaches as they came to push back the Nazis in WWII. The German military had tremendous defenses all along the coast waiting for the Allies to arrive on the continent. 175,000 Allied troops landed on shore – (American, British and Canadian), brought by 5333 landing craft on June 6, 1944. It was the largest amphibious landing in all human history. On this one day alone, the Allied Army lost about 45,000 men in death. The German’s estimate their casualties on this one day were about 30,000 + 200,000 missing and presumed dead. AND — their were about 12,000 French civilians caught up in battle and killed. It all sounds like statistics and a sad footnote in history, or a graphic movie (like ‘Saving Private Ryan’) until you visit the cemeteries in Normandy, France.
A must stop in Normandy was the American Cemetery, but it should be followed by a visit to the German Cemetery as well. What takes your breath away is the rows upon rows of white crosses – along with many Jewish ‘Star of David’ markers interspersed. And when you go to the German Cemetery there are also rows and rows of Crosses as well, mostly dark in color carved out of dark stone. But my point is… these were two waring ‘empires’ of history in a bitter and deadly war with one another. And in their respective cemeteries they both used the same and most recognizable symbol of a Cross to give honor to their dead soldiers. Why? How and why can they as enemies in a bitter war use the same Cross as their symbol of hope in death?
As I said, the Cross is the most recognized symbol in the world. No doubt often abused and commonly (and sadly) misunderstood. But it is recognized because of the story we will be studying this coming Sunday, April 13; Jesus’ crucifixion on the Roman Cross. I ask you to read this story carefully and contemplate it before you join with the family for worship this Sunday. I ask you to read ahead of our worship together Mark 15:21-41. The story is gruesome, cruel, graphic, and surrounded by the theme of death. But it was God’s plan for a reason – a reason that can lead to our greatest hope.
What impact do crosses in a cemetery have on you? What does the cross of Jesus say to you? What does this say to us about who Jesus really is?
There is an old hymn that is worth quoting here as you prepare for worship with the family:
At the Cross:
Was it for crimes that I had done He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown! And love beyond degree!
At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, and the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight, And now I am happy all the day
See you Sunday morning, on this last Sunday before Easter, the resurrection day!
