Jesus continues his farewell discourse and appears to be speaking in riddles: “A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while later and you will see me” (Jn 16:16). We who know what is coming for Jesus understand what Jesus is talking about, but for the disciples, not so much. Jesus will be crucified and rise again from the dead. Jesus then goes on to explain further that: “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy” (Jn 16:20). Jesus is speaking about the same two points of reference, his Crucifixion and Resurrection.
The most brutal sign of oppression during the reign of the Roman Empire was the cross. It was a weapon of terror, torture, an extreme case of punitive justice and capital punishment, and in actuality state-sanctioned terrorism. The person would be stripped of all their clothing, would be nailed by the wrists, or palms and wrists tied, nailed by the feet, and then lifted up for public display. Then would begin their humiliation, dehumanization, and long agonizing death; a sign for anyone to think twice about challenging the authority of Rome.
The disciples wept and mourned, their hopes dashed, they were stunned, ashamed, and demoralized, while others rejoiced as Jesus and the two others beside him were lifted up. The centurions flaunted their authority and prowess. Others gathered around and jeered at who they believed to be another false prophet dying on Golgotha, the hill of the skull, where so many had gone before. Where other hopes and dreams had been crushed under Roman dominance and oppression.
Jesus was sometimes described as being hung on a tree in some letters of the New Testament because writing the word cross was still too raw and vivid in people’s minds. Yet, this was not the final chapter. The grief of the Apostles would turn to joy because of the Resurrection. The cross, this symbol of torture, would become a sign of victory over death and the grave.
Yet, one centurion got it right: “Truly this man was the Son of God” (Mk 15:39)! For many Christians today, the Crucifix and Cross are no longer a sign of oppression and fear but are displayed as a sign of the triumph and victory that Jesus has won for us. They are not magic talismans, but they are sacramental signs, concrete objects that are tangible, that we can see, wear, and hold on to, for the purpose of reminding us that we have a God who understands our humanity because he lived life as we do.
Jesus cried as we cry, he laughed as we laugh, he enjoyed table fellowship, and life to the full, yet he also faced rejection, misunderstanding, trials, and tribulations. He overcame betrayal, conflict and rejection, he died as we will die, yet his death was not the end. Jesus ultimately conquered death, so that through our participation in his Life and Resurrection we will rise again in Christ as well.
More shootings, in Buffalo and now Texas with yet another school shooting is horrific and unconscionable. We would like an easy answer to stop the madness but there isn’t one. There are many complex and intertwined reasons for the continued rampage of violence. To look upon the crucified body of Jesus can be a place to start. We can allow our gaze to fall upon the face and wounded body of Jesus to remind us that he understands because he experienced what we experience, the pain, anguish, bewilderment, and injustice of what seems an unending sea of violence near and far.
Jesus will also embrace us with those arms outstretched on the cross to ease our suffering and pain and continue to be present with us, closer even than the crucifix we hold or look upon. He can help us to heal, so that we can help others to heal by being present for them as he is present for us. Our world changes, when we are willing to change and willing to be there for each other and see each other as human, as Jesus sees us.
Spiritual Stepping Stones