Why the centre of Christianity is the Cross

Apr 14, 2019 by Jill

by Julian Mann, The Conservative Woman:

IMAGINE the Church found itself in demand, popular with the establishment. Imagine a situation in which lawlessness gets out of control in the nation (perhaps we don’t have to imagine it?) and the establishment in government, in big business and in the media begin to think that the Church might have a role to play in restoring moral standards. Bishops and even vicars are suddenly given new platforms to act as agents of the State in promoting law and order.

Of course, the Church should support law and order and moral standards in society. But surely something central in Christianity would be lost if the Church become a mere moral mouthpiece for the government? That central thing is actually to be found in symbolic form in most churches. It is the Cross of Christ that would be lost.

Our Passiontide reading from John’s Gospel is a powerful reminder of the centrality of the saving message of the Cross.

In setting up the story, the Apostle John flags up the impending death of Jesus: ‘Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived in Bethany [a village a couple of miles to the east of Jerusalem], where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.’ (John 12v1 – NIV)

Read here

Read also: The Palm Sunday Hymn: Ride on, Ride on in Majesty by Margaret Ashworth, TCW