This coming Sunday is Holy Cross Day. September 14 commemorates the dedication of the church built by the emporer Constantine on the site where our Lord was crucified.
The cross has been an important symbol among Christians. It can be found on churches, hanging on the walls of our homes, and as jewelry we might wear. It represents something very important to us.
The cross was a means of execution used by the Romans. The person would die a slow death and die ultimately from suffocation. It was the means by which God's Son would die on this Earth. However, Jesus was able to turn a cross of shame into one of victory.
As we proclaim Christ, we need to proclaim one who was put to death for our salvation. St. Paul wrote: "We proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." 1 Corinthians 1:23-24.
We must always remember the sacrifice Jesus made. We must always remember that the Christ we proclaim was one who had suffered.
Has the cross been a powerful symbol in your life? Are you able to use this symbol as a point of departure in witnessing to others? Do you believe it is effective today?
About Me
- Rev. Martin W. Pauschke
- I have been pastor at Savior Divine since July 2004. Prior to my current position, I had served at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Maywood, IL, and Trinity Lutheran Church in Runnemede, NJ. I graduated from Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, IN, with a concentration in musicology and graduated from Concordia Seminary in Exile (Christ Seminary - Seminex) in St. Louis, MO. I received a D. Min. degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago.
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