Reflecting on the Cross

It has been seven years since my friend Bill succumbed to pancreatic cancer. He was the kindest and most generous man I have ever known. Although he was 25 years my senior, I assumed I would have him in my life for much longer than I did. I still miss Bill. I wish I had more time to learn from his courage in the face of death and from a life so beautifully lived in faith and love.

Because Bill died on Holy Thursday, Holy Week always reminds me of his battle to live and his acceptance of death. As a very faithful man, I know that Bill found strength in Jesus' death on the cross. I know that those who suffer — from illness, war, oppression, poverty, hatred — look to the cross and see something more than I do.

Every time I see a show about someone who overcomes amazing obstacles, I am amazed at the courage that people have. When the TV news announced the death of Dana Reeves, I was reminded again of challenges that others have faced that seem beyond me. My life has been too easy for me to know how I would respond if I got a cancer diagnosis, or an accident paralyzed me, or if I was suddenly thrown into a war zone.

When I join in the mid-day service for Good Friday, I will once again hear of Jesus' death on the cross. ("Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Father, into your hands I commend my spirit;' and when he had said this he breathed his last." Luke 23:46). I will walk to the cross and kiss it. I will realize again that Jesus chose his death as a sacrifice for my own life. The depth of that sacrifice always scares me a little. It makes me want to do something better with my life than I have thus far. It calls me to respond.

Good Friday roots me in the great sacrifice of Jesus. It reminds me that Jesus was very human in the moment of his death. As Bob Hurd sings in Behold the Cross, "Behold the cross, on which was hung, life's very Lord, God's darling one, Mary's own babe, so cold and so still, helpless before her on Calvary hill." Good Friday also reminds me of all the others in the world who carry a much greater cross than I have ever known. Both crosses, Jesus' and the burdens of others, call me forward to live my life to the fullest, honoring their pain and sacrifices by my service, love, and faith. I pray for the strength that I need and for all those who have shown me the way.

Let us pray...

For those who we have loved and lost...
For those who live in poverty...
For those who face the horrors of war and oppression...
For those who are suffering...
For the courage to be who we are called to be...

Thank you, Jesus, for saving us through the great sacrifice of your life on the cross.

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Spirit Compass reflections are developed in partnership
with the Center for Ministry Development.