The Cross

The most recognisable and universally iconic image on Earth — the crucifix— is of an innocent man suffering, tortured and killed for the world to see. That man is Jesus who, according to Christian teaching, was, and is, the Son of God.

God, through the figure of Jesus, has shared, does share and will share in the pain and suffering of humanity. That is why he gave us Jesus. To show that we are not alone. To show that the human experience can be, at its worst, one of unjust suffering, humiliation and despair, which admittedly can make the idea of God a difficult one to process and accept.

Why is this happening?

Why has it happened to him / her? They don’t deserve this!

How can God allow this to happen, if he is so powerful, all-seeing and all-loving?

These are the questions that naturally arise in troubling and distressing times. Even Jesus asked for his “cup of suffering’ to be taken from him, soon before his arrest and trial. Then, when nailed to the cross, in agony and facing death, he cried in despair to God, “Why have you forsaken me?”. He, Jesus himself, asked the very same doubting question God is asked in times of darkness.

Jesus wasn’t saved on the cross. He suffered and died. The ever-lasting symbol we have have is not of Christ’s birth, his baptism, the Last Supper or even the Ressurection. It is of the crucifixion, a symbol of suffering and death. And on the crucifix, there is God himself.

Understandably, it can be a perplexing, troubling and disturbing image. However, the message of the cross is not to say that the purpose of life is suffering and death and that there is no point in happiness in life. Viewed in a a different way, in its true context, it is a unique sign from God. A sign that he suffered, suffer and will continue to suffer with us. A sign that God himself, made incarnate in the form of Jesus, was treated unjustly, humiliated, rejected and left to die. He always shares our pain.

Jesus was young, he was innocent and he wasn’t saved. Yet, it is through that way that we are brought to God and to each other. We are brought to God and others through the suffering, in our kindness, compassion and strength. That is something that we do see, regardless of faith or belief. Love in us.