Suffering Symbols
As I was studying this past week it came to my attention that we don't have many. Symbols of suffering to be clear. I was looking for a modern day symbol to communicate the importance of Jesus' suffering and what the cross means. The electric chair or lethal injection don't really work. Yes, they are deadly but the suffering is kept to a minimum. None of that cruel and unusual punishment Rome was famous for back in the day. Many historians and medical doctors have described their execution style as the most physically painful ever "invented."
The cross was meant to kill a person over the course of days not minutes or hours and as a public display. Recall, Pilate was surprised to find out Jesus was already dead after several hours when the soldiers reported to him. We simply can't identify, due to our quick and "painless" style happening behind closed doors.
Don't miss the fact that Jesus told those who follow him to take up their cross, daily. Can you say, "suffer?" We have laws against such things. Today our goal for our life focuses on success, blessings and our best life. Now. Present tense. How do you reconcile suffering and the cross in light of modern conveniences and comforts? We can't forget the cross.
One quick thought, notice Jesus' words on the cross in the Gospels. Those words remind us of forgiveness, His/our mission, God's will… I don't know about you but when I'm suffering I'm looking for the quickest way to limit the pain. Give me a pill or change the geography. I'm sure you can't believe it but I'm incredibly selfish when my pinky hurts! How am I going to take up a cross, my cross? Jesus did, and in the midst of excruciating pain Jesus models a way of life.
Once you and I get the focus off of the pain of our cross we notice others, we forgive, we see the temporal nature of our own life and we find the words of Jesus to be important and helpful, "Take up your cross." And we can know that on the other side of the cross a resurrection is coming.