By Doug Redford
Some years ago, a newspaper carried an article with this headline: “Crosses Make Big Fashion Statement.” It noted, “Crosses are dangling from the necks of celebs and models in party pictures of all kinds of events, formal and casual . . . the bigger, the better.”
Said one jewelry designer, “Crosses have been part of my repertoire from the get-go. I’ve always loved crosses because I think they make such a big statement in fashion.”
Consider what the world has done to the cross over the years. When we hear of someone desecrating a religious object, we typically think they have soiled it or damaged it in some way. But the world has desecrated the cross by prettying it up, making it attractive and trendy—and usually Christless and bloodless.
In Jesus’ day, the cross was anything but a fashion statement. The last thing one would do with a cross was wear it as a piece of jewelry. The cross represented the worst, most agonizing form of death one could experience. Crucifixion was reserved for the worst of criminals. The most shocking thing people heard Jesus say may have been, “Take up [your] cross and follow me.” Paul spoke of Christ crucified as “a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles” (1 Corinthians 1:23).
Here at Communion, we remember what the cross really means and the timeless message it communicates. The cross is a passion statement rather than a fashion statement. It continues to declare the passionate love of our heavenly Father for sinners and his Son’s passionate willingness to die there so we can be forgiven.
When Mel Gibson’s movie The Passion of the Christ was released in 2004, it was rated R (meaning “restricted” and that anyone under 17 needed to be accompanied by an adult). This was because of the amount of bloodshed and violence displayed in the film—not only at the crucifixion but by the Roman soldiers’ extremely brutal flogging of Jesus. Crucifixion was repulsive and disgusting, but so is sin in the sight of a holy God. This is why highlighting the cross as a passion, not a fashion statement is so important.
The cross truly deserves to be rated R . . . for Redemption and for Rejoicing that Jesus paid the Ransom to set us free from our bondage to sin and Rose from the grave, victorious over death.
Doug Redford has served in the preaching ministry, as an editor of adult Sunday school curriculum, and as a Bible college professor. Now retired, he continues to write and speak as opportunities come.
Author: Doug Redford
Doug Redford has served in the preaching ministry, as an editor of adult Sunday school curriculum, and as a Bible college professor. Now retired, he continues to write and speak as opportunities arise.
