The 6th Doctrine of The Salvation Army:

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We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has by his suffering and death made an atonement for the whole world so that whosoever will may be saved.

“Jesus hath known many lovers of His heavenly kingdom, but few bearers of His cross. He hath many desirous of consolation, but few of tribulation… Many reverence His miracles, few follow the ignominy of the cross.” —Thomas A Kempis

Today tens of thousands of Christians from the Philippines to the Andes Mountains to rural Africa will make grueling marches or rugged treks to atone for their sins through self-flagellation and even crucifixion. They’ll practice the extreme rituals of flagellation, cutting, wearing crowns of thorns, bearing crosses, and even crucifixion where dozens will be nailed to crosses and die, emulating the passion of Christ. Most of these Christians perform these rituals as a type of penitence to ask forgiveness for the sins committed over the year for oneself and one’s family. In emulating the last painful events in the life of Christ, these people feel a closer connection with their religion and their God; a sense of ease or forgiveness for their sins.

And it’s not only the peasants, the uneducated who practice such rituals. It’s also enacted in the elevated palatial premises of the Vatican. It was reported by a nun who looked after Pope John Paul II , that he practiced self-flagellation, and the sounds of the whip on his flesh could often be heard from his living quarters.

Some years ago I read a short article in a British newspaper while in the UK on business.

A man entered high-street jewelers with the intent to buy his daughter an Easter present. He asked the proprietor what he deemed appropriate; thinking a simple trinket with a bunny might serve the purpose. The attendant immediately brought out several trays displaying small crosses, some in gold, others in silver and still more with diamonds or other precious stones.

After carefully examining the dozens of crosses on offer the man asked, “Is there a great difference in the price of the empty crosses compared to those with a little man on them”? Perhaps not a very significant price difference to the shop’s customer but a costly eternal difference for all of us; the judgment of the world began on that Friday when Jesus was crucified.

While living in Manhattan my SA work often brought me into contact with the Rector of St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral and I recall one of his Easter message statements: “If we allow His cross to become ‘too every day’, too common and too casual, the day will come that we’ll no longer carry His”! He urged the congregation to wear a cross, to fix a crucifix near the home’s exit door, in the office, etc.

General Linda Bond writes in her Easter message: “A familiar song asks the probing question, ‘Were you there when they crucified my Lord?’ More than 2,000 years later, we have to answer ‘no’ if we are thinking in terms of time. But let’s go there in our imagination.

In his prayer in the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus confesses, ‘my soul is deeply grieved to the point of death’ (Mark 14:34 New American Standard Bible). He sweats drops of blood. His soul is in agony. He is tormented, but life goes on. The disciples fall asleep. During his arrest, his trial, his whipping, there is a suffering beyond the physical. The grief of aloneness is real. Where are his companions? Are they there? Yes, they are, at least they are in the vicinity. But Judas has orchestrated a betrayal, Peter is denying any knowledge of him and the other friends can’t be seen for dust.

 

And for others in Jerusalem, life went on, business as usual. There was no awareness that beyond their patch, outside the city, the Son of God was to be crucified. It is the most important day in history but they are not ‘there’. Even Simon of Cyrene had other plans. He was 'passing by on his way in from the country' when he was stopped and forced to carry the Cross and ‘be there’ (Mark 15:21-22 New International Version).

Christ's substitutionary death on the cross stands at the very heart of salvation truths and demands my soul, my all. He took our place in suffering the penalty for sin. The demands of the law against us were fully satisfied by His voluntary acceptance of our punishment.

A truly blessed experience while serving as a New York Staff Bandsman was humming the background music as Lt. Colonel Olof Lundgren sang:

1. Sometimes I see through mists of bitter tears,

    A distant hill on which a cross appears

    And on that cross where I myself should be,

    I see this holy man of Galilee.

Chorus:

    He took my place His life He freely gave,

    Oh! Boundless love He died my soul to save.

    He took my place upon the cruel tree.

    He took the guilty sinners place, and I am free.

2. I cannot tell why He should love me so.

    Why for my sin the bitter anguish know.

    Why He should wear a crown of thorns for me,

    This, Holy, lowly man of Galilee.

3. Oh! That my lips might speak His worthy praise.

    And that my hands might serve Him all my days,

    Until at last through His redeeming grace,

    I’ll meet and greet this Man who took my place.

" He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." What a Saviour!

In a culture where crosses have become little more than decorative accessories and jewelry, it is easy for us, the committed Christians we aim to be, to rush through the Easter season without thoughtfully contemplating the crucifixion of Christ and all that it means.


Dr. Sven Ljungholm
Birkenhead Corps