MOVING TO RECONCILIATION AND BEYOND

I could never myself believe in God if it were not for the cross. The only God I believe in is the One Nietzsche ridiculed as ‘God on the cross’. In the real world of pain, how could one worship a God who was immune to it?

I have entered many Buddhist temples in different Asian countries and stood respectfully before the statue of Buddha, his legs crossed, arms folded, eyes closed, the ghost of a smile playing round his mouth, a remote look on his face, detached from the agonies of the world. But each time after awhile I have had to turn away. And in imagination, I have turned instead to that lonely, twisted, tortured figure on the cross, nails through his hands and feet, back lacerated, limbs wrenched, brow bleeding from thorn pricks, mouth dry and intolerably thirsty, plunged in God-forsaken darkness. That is the God for me! He laid aside his immunity to pain. He entered our world of flesh and blood, tears and death. He suffered for us.

Our sufferings become more manageable in the light of his. There is still a question mark against human suffering, but over it we boldly stamp another mark, the cross which symbolizes divine suffering. ‘The cross of Christ … is God’s only self justification in such a world’ as ours.1 (John Stott, The Cross of Christ, pp. 335-336)

1 P.T. Forsyth, Justification of God, p. 32.
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Over the course of the next 4 weeks we will be sharing insights, thoughts and meditations on the Cross of Christ. Many would agree that John Stott's THE CROSS OF CHRIST would head the list of insightful studies. My own treasured and autographed copy of the book was gifted to a young Christian in Hull, UK some 18 moths ago. I pray it's new owner was brought to the foot of the Cross each time the pages of the book were opened..

Excerpts will be shared in the week ahead. However, we invite all visitors, former or active officer, soldier or adherent, and those with no SA affiliation to share your reflection. Please send it to selmoscow@aol.com . Should you wish us to post it anonymously, please let us know.