Every time I see someone wearing a crucifix with Jesus on it, I think, “That is pure blasphemy. That is sacrilegious.” Jesus is not hanging on a cross somewhere. He is risen from the cross. He left the empty tomb. It seems to me that people have forgotten His mission. He came to give life, and He could not do that hanging on a cross. He couldn’t fulfill or finish His journey, His obligation without leaving the cross behind.
Only when He left the cross and the tomb, could He proclaim, “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:54-55). Roll the stone away, and look for Jesus. He’s not in the tomb. He’s gone to the Father to provide for our forgiveness and inheritance into the Kingdom of God.
Maybe people want to glorify His suffering. I want to glorify His victory over sin. Some people want to shed a tear, because He loves them so much and makes them feel special. Yes, He does both; but He doesn’t stay on a cross or in an empty tomb. He’s not at either place.
Gone! Gone! Gone!
He is alive, not dead.
He’s not still bleeding on a cross.
He’s not lying in a cold lifeless tomb.
Alive! Alive! Alive!
He was seen of 500 disciples after His resurrection and fed His disciples breakfast – likely fish tacos. Now do not, for your sake or His, try to put Him back on the cross. That is like carrying around a picture of a dead loved one. Instead, think of everything that represents life: little children playing, flowers on a beautiful sunny day, blossoms on a fruit tree, or a beautiful sunrise.
Jesus came to bring life, happiness, joy, peace, love; not the remembrance of a cold tomb (John 10:10-11; Galatians 5:22-25). The disciples saw and touched Jesus after the resurrection. They saw and felt the scars from the spikes, not the blood. His death did not change Him or His love; it cemented it in time and history.
I have been to the Garden of Gethsemane; the place of His crucifixion, Golgotha; and the Garden Tomb. I was struck with awe, but He was not there. He had gone. I can imagine Jesus walking away, looking back over His shoulder saying, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). If I never let Him leave the cross, I can never follow Him.
Happy Resurrection Day.
Go look for eggs under the bunny, but don’t go looking for Jesus on the cross.
– Written by Pa
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