Monday, September 14, 2015

The Cross

Every now and then, when surfing through channels (you see, I am a male!), I come across the Antique Road Show.  A wonderful show that takes a group of antiques experts from town to town, welcoming people with their heirlooms, trinkets, or bazaar items (appropriately named, because the picked it up at some church bazaar).  The people place their items before the experts, who seems to know way too much about the item, where and when it was made, and then they take a stab at a possible value of the item.

I have learned in watching the show that some of the ugliest things can be of greatest value.  It is wonderful to watch the expressions on the owner’s face when they find out that the piece of junk they inherited from Aunt Henrietta is worth thousands of dollars.

And I have noticed on this show, there one thing that seems to increase the value of the item being scrutinized is the signature or mark of the maker on the item.  This always impresses the experts, who rant and rave over the signed item.

I guess you could say that in some ways, the church is like a People of God Road Show.  We come here with different baggage.  Some of us look a bit more worn than others.  We have, in many ways, inherited things from our relatives - traits, names, traditions.

We come to stand in the presence of God, who knows us better than we ourselves.  God looks intently at us, the bumps, the scars, the imperfections, and all.  But no matter the lack of perfection, God stares at our forehead, and sees something only God’s eye can see.  An invisible sign.  It is a cross - placed there at the font.  Invisible to the untrained eye, it is there.  The value of that mark, the mark of our maker  - priceless.

At the youth gathering, we saw a short video of Davey and Goliath - remember them?  The boy, Davey, and his dog, Goliath.  Davey was staring in the mirror, looking for that cross, and wondering what the pastor was talking about when he said we all have the mark of the cross on our forehead.  Davey couldn’t see it!  He thought he had been tricked.

Goliath’s only response was, “I don’t know about that, Davey.  But I do know that I am Goliath, and I belong to Davey.  And Davey loves me very much.”  Then, Davey got it - “I am Davey.  I belong to God.  God loves me very much.”  That Goliath is one smart dog!

The truth is this  - you are a child of God.  You belong to God.  God claims you as his own.  You are of GREAT value.  The cross on your forehead is God’s seal - never to be taken away.

The cross changes everything.  Death is no longer the final word, no - now it is life.  Despair is no longer the final word, no - now it is hope.  Brokenness and bondage are no longer the final word, no - now it is forgiveness.

The cross, seen as a symbol for death now is a symbol for victory over death.  For Jesus wins the battle.

The cross doesn’t just change the past, it changes our present, and shapes our future.  For the cross is that which ultimately defines us.  It is not our possessions, our status, our good name, our works, our jobs.  They may mean everything to the world, but what matters to God is knowing who we are, and whose we are.

Epiphany Lutheran Church is filled with crosses, even crosses built into the brick walls. These all are constant reminders of the gift of God given to us through Jesus Christ.

During some of our worship services, a processional cross leads us in to worship, followed by the choir and worship leaders, and leads us out into the world following worship. I encourage you to consider facing the cross when it enters and exits. Some will even bow as it passes, not that we "worship" this symbol, but that we remember what Christ has done for us. We face the cross as it is a reminder of God with us, and the gifts we receive through the cross. Placed near the pulpit, we are reminded that Jesus is the Word of God. Placed near the altar, we remember Jesus words - this is my body, this is my blood, given and shed for you. Carried out before us as we exit, we remember Jesus call to go and make disciples of all nations. Jesus leads us out to serve. 

Thank you God, for the gift of the cross.


Peace,

Pastor Charlie


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