Holy Week 3-The Challenge of the Cross

Christmas is really for the children

Christmas is really
for the children.
Especially for children
who like animals, stables,
stars and babies wrapped
in swaddling clothes.
Then there are wise men,
kings in fine robes,
humble shepherds and a
hint of rich perfume.

Easter is not really
for the children
unless accompanied by
a cream filled egg.
It has whips, blood, nails,
a spear and allegations
of body snatching.
It involves politics, God
and the sins of the world.
It is not good for people
of a nervous disposition.
They would do better to
think on rabbits, chickens
and the first snowdrop
of spring.

Or they’d do better to
wait for a re-run of
Christmas without asking
too many questions about
what Jesus did when he grew up
or whether there’s any connection.

Steve Turner

Easter and the events surrounding it are awkward- difficult to package and market commercially, as Steve Turner points out. It's a time of year when most people are happy to enjoy the benefits of a holiday, without asking too many questions about what its all about.

The Cross is only really acceptable if it's outside a church- no-one wants to be reminded of gruesome military torture techniques. It's such an uncompromising shape, stark and angular, speaking in its very shape of a choice to be made- do you engage with what it represents, or turn your back on it? Do you hide how uncomfortable it makes you feel by arguing political correctness- no burqas, turbans or crosses thank-you? Religion is all very well if it is kept private, it is not doing anyone any harm, but when it invades public space it often provokes strong reactions. That should not surprise us, since it's exactly what happened during Holy Week. Jesus' words, actions and presence were having a greater and greater effect, and as he entered Jerusalem, the centre of public life, the challenge he presented intensified. Then, as now, those who saw themselves as wise, powerful and intelligent were affronted by a message which called into question the basis of their certainties.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written:

‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;

    the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.’

 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 

 but we preach Christ crucified: 

a stumbling-block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

1 Corinthians 1:18-25