When the Cross is not Central
Apr 23rd, 2009 by John
Because the cross of Jesus is so central to our faith, we often have a hard time reframing it as a preparatory step in fulfilling God’s dream. God ’s dream is to have a multinational community of voluntary lovers who are engaged in God’s mission for this planet. The life of Jesus, and his death, burial, resurrection, and ascension were all preparatory in fulfilling God’s dream. Pentecost launched God’s dream in human history. The Story moves from a uninational (Israel) to a multinational (church) community empowered by the Spirit to be God’s “new humanity” on earth. A new humanity with a mission…announcing and living cosmic redemption of “all things” under the lordship of Jesus the Messiah (see Colossians 1).
Jesus was promised (OT texts)
Jesus was born and lived some 33 years.
Jesus died.
Jesus was buried.
Jesus rose from the dead into a new dimension of life.
Jesus appeared for 40 days and ascended to God’s right hand.
ALL PREPARATORY. For what?
Jesus and the Father poured out the Spirit on all flesh.
The new covenant community is launched, wobbling along at first and then taking off.
God’s dream is being realized…all nations blessed and one and with access to the Father through his Son Jesus Christ.
Pentecost Sunday (Whitsunday), May 31, is coming. Celebrate!
Are you part of the dream?
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The cross has always been a stumbling block to people. All that blood and gore is especially offensive to the sanitized Christians today. It was an offense to the Jews who just couldn’t handle a God who stooped to be excuted in such a lowly dispicable manner. It’s an offense to us because it’s so barbaric and foreign to modern sensibilities. Yet, it’s the foundation of why we call ourselves Christians. And of course, we can’t talk about the cross without the resurrection, for without the resurrection the cross was just another execution like all others. And without Pentecost, we wouldn’t have the living Christ dwelling in us.
Great thoughtful article.
Rich
Rich,
I like your observations. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.