The Worst Cliche Ever

Jesus died on the cross for our sins.

Based on the title of this post, some of you are probably offended at the fact that I would call something which is indeed the foundation of the Christian faith a cliche. I would ask, however, what was your knee-jerk reaction to that statement? Thinking back on how I have interacted with this Truth over my (very) short life as a Christian, I have found that more and more I see this as a point which is important, but doesn't necessarily need to be discussed at length. Jesus died. We're saved. We get it. Cool beans.

My thinking on this started at the small group which I am a part of here at WWU. Our topic for the night was what type of model we are given by God in terms of how we should love people. In response to the question of what is the most fundamental expression of God's love, one of the men in our group said, somewhat sheepishly, "Well, I guess the cross, but that kind of feels like cheating." He went on to say that the work on the cross was, "of course," extremely important, but it felt cheap to just say that and be done.

But shouldn't the cross be enough? Scripture, in particular the writings of Paul, is ripe with assertions that it is by what Jesus did on the cross, and only by that, that we have freedom from sin and the opportunity to join in fellowship with God. What happened to make it so that it feels like cheating to proclaim the most sacrificially loving act known?

Admittedly, it is important to recognize that the cross is not something which should be thrown around lightly. Jesus' work on the cross is a fact which has been misinterpreted and abused countless times, showing the potential dangers in not taking the time to understand (both in mind and soul) just what happened on that hill. However, I think this fact affirms that we should be focusing on the cross before we focus on anything else. Not only should we be recognizing what was done for us, but we should be honoring that sacrifice all the more by seeking to renew and grow our understanding of it each day.

So what has become of this incredibly important aspect of our faith? I would say to get an image of that, all that needs to be done is to tell both Christian and non-Christian alike about this fact and watch them roll their eyes with the underlying thought of "yeah, I've heard that one before," screaming from their disinterested faces. What should bring about expressions of shock, adoration, and wonder instead brings with it boredom. The most foundational aspect of our faith has become a footnote.

I know I don't want this to be the case in my life. I honestly hope that I can live each day with a growing understanding of just what was done for me as an individual and at the same time for all of humanity throughout time and space. This amazing work that, too often, we allow to be of little importance in the day-to-day living out of our faith is not only a beautiful gift, but also a model for how we are to love each other, with a heart to sacrifice all that we have to provide for those around us. To forget that would be incredibly dangerous.

In light of this, I want to urge myself, as well as anyone who would join with me, in reclaiming what Jesus did on the cross as the most important moment of both Christianity as a whole and our own lives. I truly believe that, if we can come to a better understanding of this Truth, we will be able to love the world in an infinitely more beautiful way, and join with God in rejoicing as people come to know that love, and at the same time come to know Him.

With His love and hopefully His grace,

Taylor