Christian Basics No 3: Why the Cross? The cross is a picture of violence, yet the key to peace; a picture of suffering, yet the key to healing; a picture of death, yet the key to life; a picture of utter weakness, yet the key to power; a picture of capital punishment, yet the key to mercy and forgiveness; a picture of vicious hatred, yet the key to love; a picture of supreme shame, yet the Christian’s supreme boast. The cross really is the key to everything! Although a horrifying instrument of torture and death, it is also a symbol of love and peace. On the cross Jesus died to deal with the problem of our sin and defeat the powers of death and evil. He identified with our sufferings and set us an example of self-sacrificial love. As Peter writes, ‘He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed … Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God’ (1 Peter 2:24, 3:18). Jesus died in our place on the cross and took away our guilt, to pay the full penalty for our sin. Access to God’s presence is now open to all, symbolised by the Temple curtain being torn in two from top to bottom. The barrier between us and God was torn down in order ‘to bring us to God’. Jesus is the bridge providing access between us and God. ‘If Jesus Christ is to be our Saviour then He must be able to place a hand upon a pardoning God and another hand on a penitent sinner and draw them together in an act of reconciliation’ (Bishop Handley Moule). (Paul Hardingham begins this year-long series on the very foundations of our Christian faith.) (Material taken from Parish Pump, web site for Church Magazines). For young people from year 7 upwards, to meet, talk, learn, pray and have fun together. Meet on the 2nd Sunday of the Month 7.15pm Contact Revd. Lizzie for details 19
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