The cross is probably the most recognised symbol in the world. Christians and non-Christians alike have become accustomed to seeing it everywhere - on posters, in designs and patterns, magazines, jewellery, school yards… The reason we have this symbol is because of Jesus Christ. The cross symbolises the suffering He endured for humanity. What is it about Christ’s suffering that is unique?
I heard an evangelist give a very emotional account of the pain Jesus went through on the cross, the main part being a doctor’s report and step-by-step explanation of what happened physically to Jesus during His crucifixion. The evangelist laboured for an emotional response by highlighting the cruelty Jesus endured. It was all about physical suffering. I was emotionally moved (probably because we Westerners are so passionate about physical comfort) but deep inside felt something was missed. The unique suffering of the cross had been overlooked.
I don’t want to devalue what happened physically - Jesus’ suffering was intense. But He was not the first nor the only person to be crucified; thousands were executed that way. Most of the disciples died a painful death like Jesus - Peter, say some sources, was crucified upside down, others were sawn in two. If Jesus’ physical pain was the most significant thing about His suffering, against the great crowd of martyrs who have died, are dying and will die, His crucifixion will fade into history as just one of many who have suffered.
Deep inside we all know there is something special about Jesus’ suffering, something that separates Him from every martyr in history. What makes Him so unique? The answer is in one line Jesus said from the cross. Up until this point Jesus’ crucifixion was like many others. But when you get to Matthew 28:46 Jesus cries out, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’ This one line opens up a realm of suffering beyond description. Through this cry we see the true suffering of the cross and why the most painful aspect was not the physical (as bad as that was).
‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’ is the cry of a break-up. From personal experience I know break-ups hurt, of any kind. Whether it be the last day of high-school or estranged family members or divorce. Break-ups affect the core of our being and our reason for living. They attack what gives us meaning in life - relationship.
When the world shook and the sun was wiped out of Heaven, it was not at the crucifixion, but at the cry from the cross: the cry which confessed that God was forsaken of God. - G.K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy
Why was this particular break-up so horrific? There is absolute unity between the Godhead (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Unlike humans, their relationship is perfect and so close they are considered ‘One’. The Father watched over Jesus in the manger and while He grew up; the Holy Spirit was at His baptism. They were there when Jesus was betrayed; while the lies were told at His trial; at the spitting, the punching: the whipping; the crown of thorns; the nails at the cross. As awful as it was the Father could watch all the physical suffering Jesus went through. He could handle it (could you handle watching your son or daughter suffer like that?). But when our sin was laid upon Him it was so detestable the Father turned His back on Jesus. Our sin ripped apart the Godhead. The greatest break-up of all time occurred because of you and me. That pure line of communication was broken at the cross because of sin. The cross divided eternity just like our time line (BC and AD).
The fundamental aspects of God’s character are holiness and righteousness. They are what makes Him God. He jealously guards these qualities and ensures they are always associated with His name. When purity and holiness are swapped with sin and corruption, it’s a big deal. Jesus (who was innocent, holy and pure) swapped His perfect reputation and unblemished character for that which is filthy, vile, and contemptible. Jesus became sin on our behalf, our atonement, and in doing so caused the Father to pour out His wrath upon Him.
The evangelist who laboured on the physical side of the crucifixion should have looked back at the garden and investigated what happens medically when someone’s sweat becomes like drops of blood. It’s natural for blood to flow when the skin is pierced, but to sweat blood indicates an intense internal suffering way beyond the physical. Jesus must have been thinking, ‘What’s the Father going to do when I’m corrupted with sin?’, ‘What will it feel like to be totally alone?’, ‘What’s His wrath going to feel like?’ These questions surpass the worst type of physical suffering. That is why He pleaded, ‘If possible, take this cup from me’.
We have all sinned… but more importantly I have sinned. It’s my unholiness. It’s not like at school when a whole class gets into trouble. The fact is - you are in trouble. Do you want to appreciate the cross more? Then don’t try to dilute your sin by including with everyone else’s. Your heart won’t be revived, humbled and truly thankful until you realise it was your sin that caused Jesus’ separation and indescribable suffering.
Jesus kept relatively silent throughout His physical suffering, the accusations, the flogging, the nails. He could handle it. It was your sin and mine that made Him cry out ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’ We caused Him the most pain - not the torturer who flogged Him, or the soldier who drove the nails through His hands.
God laid on Him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6). At the cross, sin past, present, and future, was covered. God is eternal and unrestrained by time. Even though the cross was some 2000 years ago in our system of time, it is always present to cover you. Through His blood eternal justice has been served on our behalf, not just group justice but personal justice. The problem of our sin nature and righteousness has been dealt with. We are clean! Jesus has turned the cross from a symbol of suffering and pain to that of amazing grace and mercy.