The Crux of the Matter
GodWords Newsletter #78
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The image above shows the constellation we call Crux… otherwise known as the Southern Cross. It’s a grouping of bright stars in the southern hemisphere. As you would expect, ships often used them to navigate across the dark ocean. This symbol is so significant that it appears on the flags of countries like Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, Brazil, and Papua New Guinea. It’s on all of Brazil’s coins. It’s mentioned in the national anthems of Australia, Brazil, and Samoa, and it’s a feature in songs by artists like Crosby, Stills and Nash, Black Sabbath, and NEWWORLDSON (see below).
Crux, of course, is Latin for “cross.” Hence the name “Southern Cross.”
Most of us know the word “crucifixion.” It too is Latin, and means “to fix on a cross.” Of course, that cross is best known as the implement of Jesus’ death. From this we get a word for extreme pain: excruciating… out of the cross.
Virtually the entire world knows about the cross. Jesus’ painful death on a Roman cross is the central feature of Christian culture around the world. We all know this. Our faith seems to revolve around the cross. We even use it to describe the pivot point around which any argument is made: it’s “the crux of the matter.”
This, of course, should not be.
Don’t hear what I’m not saying. I’m not saying that Jesus’ death isn’t a big deal. It’s a really big deal, of course. It’s simply not the biggest deal. Any old human being can die, right? I’m not trying to diminish Jesus’ sacrifice… not even a little. I’m simply saying that it shouldn’t be the central feature of Christian culture. Our focus shouldn’t solely be on the cross. What are we missing?
Resurrection!
Right now you might be saying, “Oh, yeah. Resurrection. Good point there, Tony. We all know that Jesus didn’t stay dead.” In response, I would suggest that some of us really do need a reminder that THIS is Christianity’s central feature… not the cross, where the eternal Son of God, made flesh, paid the penalty for your sins and mine, but His resurrection.
Don’t take my word for it. When Lazarus died, Jesus told Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life.”
When Jesus’ disciples replaced Judas Iscariot, they needed to choose someone to be a witness of Jesus’ resurrection.
On the day of Pentecost, Simon Peter quoted Psalm 16 and told the crowd that David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah… that God raised Jesus to life, and that they had witnessed it.
In Acts 4 the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.
When the apostle Paul went to Athens, he reasoned in the synagogue and the marketplace with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks… preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.
When Paul was on trial for his life, he told Felix that the resurrection of the dead was why he was on trial. He told the Corinthians that if Christ has not been raised, our faith is futile and we are still in our sins.
Do you see what I see? It’s not that Jesus’ death isn’t important. After all, Paul also wrote this to the Corinthians: I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
While we’re grateful for His death, our hope is found in His resurrection. We hope for abundant life now, and we hope for eternal life as well. Our resurrection is made possible by His resurrection.
The cross really isn’t the crux of the matter.
I love you all.
❤️
How to Talk About Politics and Religion
This year’s US election is over, but we still need these people skills. This very helpful article lays out a sound strategy for having meaningful conversations about difficult topics… especially when you hope to change someone else’s mind.
Little Bugs That Bite the Flock
One of the primary features of mature, obedient Christians is that we are able to tell the difference between things that should divide us - primary - and things that should not - secondary. Let’s make sure we unite on the primary things!
A Christian Critique of Communism
I don’t often link to political things, but Michael Bird points to why Christians should be skeptical of the political aims of communism.
Film Review: “Am I Racist?”
I wouldn’t normally post a review, but I thought that Dr. Doug Groothius’ thoughts might be worth pondering.
What is the Engel Scale?
This is the concept that drives everything I do. My goal for every relationship in my life is to encourage each person to trust God with more and more of their own life.
Heresies... have a decided tendency to dishonor God and to flatter man.
- Charles Spurgeon
Southern Cross in the sky, burn a picture in my eye
So I'll always remember when I'm home
Southern Cross, every time I cross that old date line
I'll play this little song for southern crosses
Southern Cross: NEWWORLDSON
I love this whole album. This song brings to mind a soldier abroad, longing for home.
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Interesting article on Matt’s movie. I don’t have an issue with his deceptions to bring light to the situation.
The obvious point is that the fundamental prerequisite for resurrection is death. From my chair, it is the whole Incarnation that is the central point of the Creation of the Universe.