Why The Cross? Jesus Explains

Giotto's painting of the Crucifixion

One of the biggest mysteries to people who haven't studied the scripture is why Jesus would allow himself to be crucified. He speaks directly about it many times to his disciples. The Gospel of John, Book 12, verses 20-33, in today's Episcopal service tackles the question.

"The hour has come for the son of man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."

In essence, he says that his death on the cross is just the death of a man, but it is an opportunity for mankind to find eternal life.

The rest of the scripture addresses how the rest of us should view our role in the world.

"Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also."

If we love God, we cannot "love" the world as it is, with its injustices, poverty, hate and suffering. Also, we have to "die" to ourselves to do what we're called to do, to love each other, and serve God with our whole hearts. If we love life and live selfishly, we're doomed to repeat that life of sin -- die, repeat, etc. Some interpret this eternity as hell, others as reincarnation. (Reincarnation was in Bible scripture at one time, then removed by the Catholic church.) Some may view perpetual reincarnation as a kind of hell.

Realizing that the crowd was troubled by what he was saying, Jesus said that he wouldn't be asking God to save him from his fate, though he could.

" 'No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.' Then a voice came from heaven, 'I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.' The crowd standing there heard it and said it was thunder. Others said, 'An angel has spoken to him.' Jesus answered, 'This voice has come for your sake, not mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.' "

In essence, Jesus asks God to speak to the people directly, He does, and yet people are still confused and misunderstand. Jesus tells them that he's making the sacrifice for them, to defeat death and evil and to change the world when he is resurrected.

So why were there so many doubters, even in his time? People who lack faith think that if they see miracles, then they will be sure that God exists. The truth is that, just like those from his own time who saw Christ resurrected, if they don't have an open heart, it won't matter how many miracles they see. They still won't believe.

I've seen miracles, and I hear of miracles almost every week. People who have faith look for the miracles and recognize them. The most recent one I experienced was when Betty Miller joined us in prayer and heard the word of God during her prayer. She told my friend that God asked her to pray over my friend's ailment. My friend was amazed, since Betty would have had no way of knowing about her problem. Betty, who is known to have spontaneously healed many people over her lifetime, prayed for my friend. She also brought up another issue that she felt compelled to pray over, which my friend also hadn't mentioned. These events are common for Betty. She doesn't claim to have any special gift, other than listening to God and asking for His blessings. She has created miracles for people, and claims that she has experienced them herself in her own healing.

In this Lenten season, we anticipate Easter Sunday, when the greatest miracle of all is celebrated. If we believe, we will understand why Christ died for us.