The Cross at the Center

Luke 23:33-43

As I read this week’s Gospel text, I am struck by all the activity that swirls around the cross of Christ.  Front and center in the picture painted by Luke are the two criminals crucified with Jesus.  They draw our attention.  One joins those who are taunting Jesus, challenging him to save himself and prove he is their kind of messiah.  The other acknowledges Jesus’ innocence and asks Jesus to remember him.  But if we step back, we see others standing there too.  There are those who have nailed Jesus to the cross.  Roman soldiers still holding their hammers.  There are the ones casting lots for his clothing.   Others are mocking him and offering him sour wine.  These are the instruments of oppressive power and authority in that Judean world.   If we step back a bit more (and beyond Luke’s painting) we see the women who had followed him weeping, and the religious leaders looking on with smug satisfaction on their faces.  But, at the center of it all stands the cross.  At the center of it all hangs the Lord of Life.   In the midst of all that pain and suffering and yes, evil, God Reigns.

That’s exactly where we find Jesus today.  

We find the cross of the Lord of Life at the center of the divisiveness, the turmoil, and the oppressive powers and principalities of the world.  Jesus stands between the mocking crowds and those who cry out to be remembered.  God still Reigns.

That’s exactly where the Church which bears Christ’s name need to be too.

In our worship space at the Luther Center at the University of South Dakota there was an amazingly powerful piece of art.  It was done with stain on wooden slats.  Kind of like a vertical wood floor.  The cross was at the center, Christ’s arms outstretched.  Surrounding the cross were depictions of the suffering, the hurting and the disenfranchised of our world.  A prisoner.  Murdered children.  An elderly woman leaning in a rocking chair, her back to the viewer.  Some students found it disturbing.  Others found it to be a powerful reminder of what it means to follow a crucified Lord. 

In life and death, Christ could always be found among the poor and powerless and oppressed of the world.  As people who place our faith in a crucified Lord, we need to stand with him.  We need to stand with all those who are living out his compassion, mercy, life and healing in a world that is filled with mocking, death and brokenness.   My prayer these days is not only “Jesus, remember us when you come into your kingdom,”  but even more, “Jesus, help us to remember you.”

Peace,

Bishop Mike.

Thank you for reading.  Bishop Mike will be on vacation next week, so won’t be writing an “On the Way.”  Have a blessed Thanksgiving!  See you in Advent!