Symbol

             For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (I Corinthians 1:18)

The cross is among the most recognized symbols in the world, if not the most recognized symbol. Yes, it was more than a symbol, but it has also always been a symbol. In the Roman Empire, it was a symbol of shame, crime, and oppression. Keep in mind that crucifixion didn’t kill quickly or neatly. It was a surprise to the Romans that Jesus died in only a few hours. They probably consider Him particularly weak for dying so soon.

Perhaps part of the power of the symbol of the cross is the fact that it’s contrary and complicated. It was a symbol of shame, crime, oppression, and death. On that weekend, it became a symbol of life and freedom. Since then, it has become -  at times – a symbol of shame, crime, oppression, and death, for those against whom it has been inappropriately applied. This pleases those who are opposed to the positive message, which means that the cross is for them a symbol of life and joy because it is a symbol of oppression. They rejoice in the degradation because it elevates their symbol, whatever it may be.

I’ve told the story before, but for me, the cross is both a symbol of life and of death. I refused to wear one, or put any Christian symbol on my car because I was – and am – sure that I will do something that would not reflect well on God. God finally asked me if I really thought Him so feeble that He couldn’t survive the being associated with a failure like me. So for me to wear a cross is symbolic not only of Jesus’ death and resurrection, but of His continuing power to overcome sin, and of my submission to that power. (I really need to get a new one. Somewhere along the line, I’ve lost the ones I had.)

That returns us to the passage of the day, because it is foolishness for me to wear a symbol that I fail to represent well, and it is life because those failures are not able to overcome His power.