Exaltation

Num 21:4-9; Psalm 78 Do not forget the works of the Lord; Philippians 2:6-11; John 3:13-17

Today we celebrate in the church the exaltation of the cross.  A strange feast. 

Exaltation means to feel extremely happy or to elevate in rank or order and yet the cross is meant to be a symbol of fear and terror. 

The cross, that is crucifixion upon the cross, was invented as some historians surmise by the Assyrians. The Assyrians were terrorist of the middle ages.  They saw crucifixion as a way or tactic of inflicting great fear in the hearts of its enemies.  It was used to to bring about the least amount of resistance to being conquered and the least amount of rebellion once conquered. 

Crucifixion was a device that brought about the most amount of pain for the longest amount of time.  It was a terror tactic that was very effective.  The assyrians conquered quickly. 

The Roman Empire adopted the crucifixion from the Assyrians.  They thought it so cruel and base that no Roman citizen regardless of his deeds, even treason, could ever be crucified.  It was reserved only for slaves and conquered people. 

It became a tool of intimidation.  The one to be crucified was stripped naked, publicly humiliated and nailed upon the cross for all to see.  

That which was meant to be a tool of terror and intimidation now stands at the center of faith, is now to be exalted as the means by which redemption is brought to all. 

From terror and intimidation to praise and glorification.  

If you go to the church of San Clemente in Rome, there you will encounter a mosaic.  The mosaic is the cross with Christ crucified.  Yet, the cross is wrapped in verdant vines bearing rich and delicious fruit of all shapes and sizes.  The cross stands as a tree of life.  

The fruit that led to the fall of humanity from the tree in the garden of eden is now borne by Christ to feed and nourish humanity from upon the tree in calvary. 

We exalt in the cross for in the hands of God it becomes life giving. The instrument of terror and intimidation now stands as that which destroys fear, and no longer intimidates but rather invites imitation.

The cross is Justice.  The cross is Mercy.  The cross is love.  The cross is humility.  The cross is hope.  The cross is courage.  The cross is life.  

In the hands of Jesus, the world is turned upside down, an instrument of death and destruction becomes life.

Psalm 96

"O sing a new song to the lord, sing to the lord all the earth.  O sing to the Lord and bless his name. . . Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, let the sea and all within it thunder praise, let the land and all it bears rejoice, all the trees of the wood shout for joy at the presence of the Lord for he comes, he comes to rule the earth.  With justice he will rule the world, he will judge the peoples with his truth."

Thus we celebrate the exaltation of the cross.