Dr John Mohan Razu
Cross is the principal symbol of Christianity that epitomizes the crucifixion of Lord Jesus Christ in the midst of two notorious criminals denoting and branding Jesus Christ – the worst criminal than those crucified on either side. The cross is thus a sign and the reminder to Christians to follow the Jesus way – holding on to Christian faith at all times – living with Christian commitment and witnessing for Christ. The cross is the ultimate that cuts across many beyond our assumptions, pre-suppositions and bundles of imagination.
This is why even after 2000 years cross continues to draw near the faithful what went at the time of crucifixion. Over and above, it is again a sign and an act of our faith, prayer, dedication, and total commitment. More importantly, the context within which the crucifixion takes place is so deeply mind-boggling, nerve-breaking, totally devastating and heart-wrenching that cut deep across our mind, body, and soul. Cross as the symbol of Christians of millions and billions believe that the One who was crucified on the cross unconditionally offered everyone the promise and hope of being and becoming—from less-human to more-human enjoined with loving kindness, empathy, forgiveness, freedom, integrity, and spirituality.
The promise of redemption and salvation to happen, the price had to be paid and the price was costly. The One who was hanging in the middle of the Cross – raises many penetrating questions as to: the ways and modes used—were cruel, nasty, and filthy. Knowing well who Jesus was and yet the powers and principalities wanted Jesus to be crucified, but prior to that those who were threatened by the very presence of Jesus from all section did employ all those that belittles, humiliates, and ridicules before those who believed Jesus was the Messiah.
Jesus bore all these to Himself withoutan iota of aggression, retaliation, anger and violence showing utmost composure despite lashing and mocking because of agapeic LOVE-which means self-sacrificing, self-emptying, and self-giving. Jesus gave himself, so that all have life in all fullness. The portrayal of Jesus on the cross has been costly that none could have paid. The only begotten Son of God was born in a fallen world, proclaimed the Good News, and brought to the entire humanity healing of the mind, body, and soul.
To translate these to reality, Jesus had to pay the price, which is costly. Therefore, the scandal of the cross in which Jesus becomes the worst of sinners. This was deliberate to blemish Jesus from all His claims. On the cross Jesus was made to listen and forced to bear them without any defiance and resistance. Jesus went beyond by not reacting and thus bearing those allegations, mockeries, power-dynamics, and all kinds of abuses as if it looked as if Jesusw was responsible. It was the deliberate ploy of those who wanted Jesus to hang on the cross between criminals. And yet, Jesus forgave them. As Apostle Paul rightlysays that in Christ, we regained new life t and we say we are in Christ it embodies then we become new creatures.
This affirmation vividly reflects in Romans 12: 14 that “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.” In short, “Love your enemies” that Jesus observed throughout His life. If not for this supreme agapeic love the whole humanity would have been left in the lurch groaning in darkness. Scandal of the cross continue to illumine that Jesus as a lamb of God put into trial for not fault of Himself but took on to Himself everything in His salvific act by giving away His life. Cross symbolizes the salvific act that reversed the entire humanity and brought to us salvation and redemption to all.
Jesus thus becomes the paradigm by reversing: agapeic love andin the process, He forgive those who hated and harmed, and even went to the extent of forging them. This is indeed the scandal of the cross. In this way we are forgiven and redeemed. Though it was impossible, Jesus on the cross made it possible and in and through His action showed to the entire humanity that thought impossible, Jesus made it possible. It is indeed a radical imperative and reversal. This is the challenge that the cross poses to all of us.
We are called as Christians to be prepared to follow as Jesus disciples. It is a command and mandate given to us to bless those who despise, harm, and creates all kinds of barriers. This is just opposite to human tendency and contrary to human nature, and yet Jesus showed on the cross—from scandal to discipleship. Scandal of the cross has rejuvenated and rekindled the promise of eternal life to the mortals and thus offered hope for those who have been living in catastrophic situations.
The meanings and essence behind the cross that Jesus hung in between two notorious criminals portrayed all-kinds of scandals. Those who wanted Jesus to die could not point out or even justify the reasons and so Jesus’ought to die. Having failed to point out any blemish those powerful lobby began to employ all sorts of false allegation. The only purpose they had was to show to the world especially to the multitude who followed wherever Jesus went and to demolish their belief and faith that Jesus was not the Messiah and the Saviour. For them Jesus was the obstacle for their power and authority.
The hegemony planned in such ways Jesus wouldn’t escape their plot. The nefarious hegemonic forces had no other option except to crucify Jesus on the cross like the most notorious criminal.This is indeed is the scandal of the cross. The worst that has ever been faced in the human history. When we look at the cross it is a reminder that conveys the worst-ever scandals faced by Jesus and he overcame with utmost patience and composure—scandal thus becomes God in Jesus involved in the redeeming activity of the lost humanity.
