Wednesday, 8 October, 2003

From “The Cross in our Context” by Douglas John Hall



Continuing with a look at our human context (Tuesday’s reading is in regular print)

Faith…sees behind and beyond the brutality and ugliness of the crucifixion as such; it sees the glory (doxa) “hidden beneath it opposite” (Luther). The resurrectional-pentecostal perspective that is faith’s presupposition sees in this scene of ultimate human degradation the ultimate identification and solidarity of the Creator with the creature. From that perspective the cross, as we have seen, is the last step on the journey of the Representative of God toward the world. God would go so far as this to seek the lost sheep, the wayward son, the stranger fallen among thieves, the alienated covenant partner. This, not violence, not the wickedness, and not even the divine wrath against human violence and wickedness – this is the first thing and the last that must be said from the perspective of a theology that finds in the cross of Christ its critical point of vantage on the whole Christian account of life.



“God would go so far as this” to save…to rescue…to bring on home –all of humanity…all of us. This is (as Hall says here and I repeat over and over again) the first and the last word among us. This is the action and word that makes us who we are. This is the source of our identity before God. God sets it and God keeps it and God will not abandon God’s place among us and for us. In the rush to find all the things that are different among us or things that we can claim will separate us from one another, there is this Word of God that is the whole vital story – the only life-giving act for one and all.



Connection: Having a day that may not be the best? You will never be alone in it. Then again, do you know someone whose day is turning out like hell? Your movement into his/her life may be a sign of grace and thus a sign of the Presence of the Reign of God that has the power to knock down the gates of hell’s isolation and separation.



Lord continue to be with us and to make your beloved a part of your loving presence in all our days. Amen.