The Contradiction and Hope of the Cross

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For an advertising campaign or a political message to reach its goal, there’s one long-recognized strategy: repetition, repetition, repetition.

Many products demonstrate the truth of that axiom and have risen to the stratosphere of success. In your opinion, what is the most globally recognized brand symbol?

Some will say the golden arches of McDonald’s, the old-fashioned Coca-Cola script, Apple’s apple, or Nike’s swoosh. But I would like to nominate another worthy candidate.

The cross of Jesus Christ.

It’s the most recognized logo in the world. The cross symbol sits on countless buildings--cathedrals, churches, hospitals, and shelters. It’s the focus of artistic masterpieces, sculptures, and billboards. It’s the adornment of necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, tattoos, cards, and books.

Even though it is banned in some places, a cross means “you are welcome here” in every language. It exalts an almighty Creator who offered a loving blood sacrifice.

It proclaims the triumph of eternal life over death.

In legend, the cross terrifies vampires. In the real spiritual world, it scatters demons.

The cross exemplifies the profound contradiction at the heart of the gospel. An instrument of gruesome capital punishment used by the ruthless, pagan Roman government became the tool captured by almighty God to bring divine justice to our wicked world.

Our risen Savior vacated the cross after overcoming evil. Satan is eternally befuddled and furious.

What other faith has a God whose Son died for His subjects, and then, as the Maker of all things, rose in power from death to demonstrate a forever future for those who believe?

What other faith trumpets truth while tenderly offering mercy for sin?

What other faith confronts the authentic fallen nature of all humans (which is our real human equality) and blazes a path toward salvation anyway?

What other faith has a leader who died for us, while other faiths bow before an alleged leader who asks followers to die for him?

The cross stands for all this and so much more. We will not comprehend it fully until we behold Jesus face-to-face.

No wonder evil wants to tear it down, to hide its emphatic yet gentle proclamation of the Lord’s final conquest. But we know the gates of hell will not prevail against what the cross symbolizes.

Pain redeemed. Promise deferred but then gloriously realized.

As once again all brothers and sisters in Christ, united in the Holy Spirit, celebrate Easter worldwide, let the cross bring tears to our eyes. The gift of eternal life is unfailingly precious even as our path here is often agonizing and broken.

But no matter what, the tomb will still be empty on Sunday morning.

Jesus left the cross in victory. And He is returning soon for the final act.

Are you ready? Look toward the cross and let the truth set you free.

“I know that my Redeemer liveth and He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth (Job 19:25).”

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Linda Harvey is president of Mission America

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