Fri
Mar 19
2010
Bishop David deFreese
Nebraska Synod, ELCA
“But we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.” (1 Corinthians 1:23)
Do we ever truly understand the wonder and power of Jesus’ Cross?
That question, while it may seem insulting to some, lies at the very heart of our life with God. The Cross of Christ stands stating both the problem and solution for all of history.
We cannot save ourselves. Every Sabbath, we confess “we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves.” Many articulate this with their lips, but live lives striving to prove their goodness and worthiness, as if God must love them and accept them because of their attainment. They are good, therefore God must respond. This is the elder brother in the prodigal son parable, refusing the father’s mercy, by stating: “I have always obeyed you.” That older brother refuses to come into the feast, he rejects the father because the father has been too merciful to the wayward, obviously sinful younger son. The elder brother stands outside the feast – salvation - knowing that it was unfairly given to his younger brother when he, the elder brother, deserved it.
In the Bible, “save” means “rescue” or “heal.” God, throughout the Old Testament, repeatedly saves from danger and evil, meaning God intervenes to rescue the people. This is done time and time again, with mercy and compassion.
Through the actions of God in Jesus, we see those activities of salvation escalate. Love is embodied and personified as Jesus lives love. Grace is graciously given. Mercy is lavishly poured out.
It would appear to me, that our society seems to be bending us in directions of a works’ righteousness more than we realize. I am hearing again and again the importance of rules and of following them so that we might be the people of God. I hear people state that those they disagree with do not understand the law.
We need rules, so that we might live lives without hurting each other. But to think that somehow we attain salvation because of our goodness, is a flat out denial of the Cross of Christ. God’s love does not seek value, it creates value. Our acceptance and value from God is a gift, never an achievement. Because our value is a gift, we cannot prove ourselves, we only need to express ourselves and the love that we have been given by sharing.
It is on the Cross, that Jesus exposes our need, and mercifully forgives the negative consequences we so deserve by standing in our stead. Judgment without mercy is condemnation. The Good News of the Cross is that God sent Jesus not to condemn, but to save; to save by bringing justice with mercy, and true forgiveness is graciously given. In Lutheran terms, we call this law and gospel. Some do not realize how deeply the law convicts … and therefore fail to rejoice in the incredulous power of God’s loving compassion enacted on the Cross.
As you stand before the Cross of Christ this Good Friday, recognize both the problem and the solution for all of history. And then let us live with joy, because of what God has done for us!
Blessings!
David deFreese
Bishop
