Today we do much more than just remember the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Our whole lives should be put into focus when we gaze at the cross and realise just how much God loves us. The broken body of Jesus on the cross, bruised and battered, is a picture of love: God’s love for us. If we lay our lives before the cross we contemplate today there is nothing that
cannot be dealt with by God. The letter to the Hebrews tells us to approach the throne (the cross) of grace with confidence because all the mercy, help and graces we need can be found at the foot of this throne. Hebrews tells us that the suffering we gaze at is a suffering that leads to eternal salvation, not for the one who endures it, but for all of us who witness it. Any doubts about whether or not God loves us should be seen in light of this love.
Watch Jesus carefully in John’s account of the Passion. Note how calm and confident Jesus is despite his imminent death. Jesus knows that he goes to the cross because it is what he was sent to do and despite his suffering, Jesus remains faithful to God’s mission. We are often pressured to doubt that remaining faithful is necessary – ‘Go with the flow!’ we are told. Carefully watch the
faithfulness of the Lord. Note too how Jesus, once again, is focused on the well-being and needs of others. Jesus turns to John and asks him to take his mother and look after her. Even in the darkest and most desperate moment of his life Jesus is able to be selfless.
The cross teaches us faithfulness, humility and selflessness. Yet, above all, the cross teaches us about real love in a world where love is a rather loose term, often used without much thought and little commitment. The love of God, stretched out before us on rough wood, reminds us what love really means and inspires us to love as we are loved. Nothing can stop God’s desire to reveal to us just how much God loves us. Even death on a cross does not stop God. Confident that we are dearly loved by
God, and for no other reason, we should never give up on loving God and others as best we can.
Today we should endeavour to spend time in silence before the cross, placing all that is broken in us, and around us before the Lord. Ask to know, with confidence, the love of God. Ask for the grace to love always and everywhere.
What does the cross mean to me?
Can I see, and do I experience God’s deep love for me as I gaze at the cross?
