Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Today we celebrate the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. Jesus’ death on the cross plays a significant role in our faith, but how exactly are we saved by the cross?
In today’s first reading from Numbers, we hear the story of Moses lifting up the seraph mounted on a pole to bring healing to the people who had been bitten by the serpents. In the gospel reading, Jesus refers to Moses and tells Nicodemus that “the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life” Jesus goes on further to say that “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”
How exactly are we saved by the cross? I often have wondered how a loving God that Jesus describes as “Abba” could demand that His Beloved Son die to pay the price for our sins. This makes it seem that there is a vengeful, angry God just waiting for me to slip up so He can demand some kind of retribution.
The idea that Jesus died on the cross to atone for our sins and thereby save humanity is a theory that has not always been central to our faith. In the book, “Creation and the Cross” Elizabeth Johnson describes how Anselm (a theologian during the middle ages) devises the idea of the “satisfaction” theory. This idea states that God demands a just payment for our sins, and only the Son of God and His death can pay that price. Anselm is strongly influenced by the cultural climate of the feudal system. In those times a person who breaks a law has to be punished or somehow “pay compensation” to make things right again and restore order to the kingdom.
The cross does, in fact, bring us salvation, but not necessarily because of atonement. The cross is a sign that God deeply cares for His creation, and He wants to show how he accompanies us always- even in the most horrible suffering and death. Jesus shows us how to live, dies on the cross, but God raises Him up in the resurrection and thereby Jesus receives the Father’s “stamp of approval.” When we believe and live as Jesus does, then we too will be given God’s warm welcome and acceptance into eternal life. The cross AND the resurrection are our sources of salvation, and Jesus’ life and ministry become a significant part of our call to discipleship.
The idea of “salvation” and the cross is such a difficult concept. Johnson in the book describes many metaphors that the disciples and early Christian writers used to help grasp how Jesus brings us salvation. Military victor (Jesus is victorious over death and evil), new creation (Jesus is the new Adam,) servanthood (Jesus is the suffering servant), sacrificial (the Paschal Lamb that celebrated the Israelites journey to freedom) are a few of the metaphors used by the early Christians. There is no one way that can fully encompass the meaning and depth of what the cross and resurrection of Jesus mean for us. I believe this is why it is called the “paschal mystery.”
The idea that Jesus’ incarnation brings salvation to all creation through the cross and resurrection is another concept than brings hope and challenge. God is the creator of the universe, and all is connected through Him. If this is true, then as disciples of Christ we too are connected to all creation, and therefore have a commitment to care for all of creation just as God cares for us. Salvation- God’s abiding presence and His call to oneness- is something that “the whole creation is groaning” to experience.
As I look at the cross, the depth of the love and mercy of God becomes much clearer by setting aside the notion that God demands just payment for my sins. I am saved by Christ who creates all things and promises new life to those who follow His way of mercy, love and care for all of creation. The cross and resurrection of Christ reveal that death is a part of our living, but it is not the end. Even in the small deaths and sufferings, God is there. Because of Jesus’ cross and resurrection, I am reminded that God has done great things for us, and we should “not forget the works of the Lord!” In humility and obedience, we are called to follow Christ knowing that it is in our dying to self that we will find new life.
Loving Father, Jesus became human to show us the depth of your love. Through the cross and resurrection, Jesus reveals Your desire to bring all things to You. May Your Spirit allow us to see the cross as a sign of Your presence that brings hope and mercy to all. We pray this in Christ’s name. AMEN.
- Marylynn Herchline