The Ugly Cross

Yesterday I made an interesting discovery. While searching the web for "ugly" crosses of the wooden, handmade sort, I stumbled upon a blog posted by a professor from Abilene Christian, Dr. Richard Beck. Dr. Beck has been posting a series of blogs concerning the "Theology of Ugly." Part four of his series is entitled, "The Ugly Cross." This immediately caught my attention which quickly turned to intrigue as I read his post, examining the paintings he included, and the questions that followed.

Why was I so intrigued? Becuase in most cases, our current church culture/society and culture/society at large has "prettied" up or "sanitized" the cross. It has become a faddish emblem of sorts such that I have seen numerous articles of womens clothing (t-shirts and tanks) with rhinestone crosses on the front, noticed its popularity as a home decor piece in various designs, shapes and sizes, and the various designs of gold or sterling silver crosses as jewelry. If I am observing correctly, in many of these cases, not all, the cross has become just another thing to wear or exhibit with little thought given to its significance.

I must admit that in responding to my initial reading and thinking about Dr. Beck's post, I found myself chiding those who quickly embrace the beauty of the cross without embracing, recognizing or understanding the "ugly" of the cross. After thinking further, I found myself appreciating all the more the beauty of the cross. What I further realized, though, is that in order for us to fully appreciate the beauty of the cross we must first appreciate the fullness of the "ugly" involved. "Whatever do you mean?" you might ask. Well I am glad you asked. The ugly of the cross is the curse that it represents, an indictment, a conviction, a sentence of death. The ugly of the cross exhibits shame and mockery of the crucified as he hangs upon the cross in nakedness, subject to scorn and ridicule. But, alas, the beauty that only Christ alone can bring about. Jesus Christ, as the resurrected, risen Son of God took all that is ugly about the cross and he turned it on its head and he scorned it. By the power of His Father he was resurrected, risen from the grave overcoming the death, scorn, shame, judgment and forsakeness that was cast upon him as a result of our sin. In this there is the greatest beauty! For what was death became life and it is that resurrection life that is offered to those who recognize their death sentence as imminent because of their sin, yet, inherit eternal life as a co-heir with the Son of God by unmerited grace, through faith in Him.

Oh!! What beauty that Christ, a spotless lamb was beaten, shamed, scorned, and slaughtered for all to see yet he scorned it all, rolled away the stone and left an empty, yes, empty tomb!! This left us with a promise for life that should we embrace faith in Christ we will one day rise at the trumpet blast and the calling forth of our Lord and live with him in the New Jerusalem.

Please visit Dr. Beck's post for a provocative consideration of the cross: http://experimentaltheology.blogspot.com/2008/04/ugly-part-4-ugly-cross.html.

Brian