This week I came across this image from the music artist Madonna.

In the last couple of years, we have observed a trend of people wearing crosses as fashion artefacts. Some examples follow.

At this occasion, I’m not specifically looking to discuss the fashion tendency or either the potential expression of the faith of the holders of the artefact

What I would like to bring to your reflection is what happened two thousand years ago: The cross as an icon that should be looked through, not at.
I challenge you to look at the cross as an object to be studied or examined. A way to look and see Jesus, God and the world.

In this first note – others will follow – let’s deflect on Jesus and God.
At the recent Lent and Eater celebrations, we revived once more the events that led to Jesus death and resurrection.

During Jesus’ journey to execution, he was brought before the Sanhedrin, a crucial location in Jewish life where laws were debated. The most knowledgeable doctors of the law were present, including the highest religious and law authorities of that time. However, they were unable to comprehend Jesus despite being presented with various witnesses, mounting evidence, and dubious motives to testify against him.

At this occasion, I’m not specifically aiming to discuss fashion trends or the potential expression of faith by the artefact’s holders.

What I wish to bring to your reflection is what happened two thousand years ago: the cross as an icon to be looked through, not at.
I challenge you to view the cross as an object to be studied or examined. A way to see Jesus, God, and the world.

In this first note – others will follow – let’s reflect on Jesus and God.
At the recent Lent and Easter celebrations, we revisited once more the events that led to Jesus’ death and resurrection.

During Jesus’s journey to execution, he was brought before the Sanhedrin, a vital institution in Jewish life where laws were debated. The most knowledgeable scholars of the law, including the highest religious and legal authorities of that time, were present. However, they could not comprehend Jesus despite being presented with various witnesses, mounting evidence, and dubious motives to testify against him.

When asked if he was the Messiah, Jesus responded, “So you say,” which they found confusing and a crucial step towards his condemnation. His silence and unconventional behaviour left them perplexed.

It is fascinating how Jesus, the Rabbi of Israel, conversed with the most learned individuals, yet they struggled to comprehend his teachings.

Jesus, Son of God, underwent the condemnation and crucifixion for a reason, as part of God’s plan for mankind. The Sanhedrin couldn’t understand him. The crucifixion scene challenges human wisdom and the expectations of His family and disciples about the Saviour.

It is not possible to define God based on our own expectations. As Paul noted in his first letter to the Corinthians and Luther emphasised in his theology, we cannot use common sense to arrive at an understanding of God. It’s impossible to shape a concept of God that aligns with our beliefs and that we can fully understand and accept. Such a God would be limited by our understanding and would be nothing more than an idol.

When asked if he was the Messiah, his response was, “so you say,” which they found confusing and an important step towards his condemnation. Jesus’ silence and unconventional behaviour left them perplexed.

It’s fascinating how Jesus, the rabbi of Israel, conversed with the most knowledgeable individuals, yet they struggled to comprehend his teachings.

Jesus, son of God, went through the condemnation and crucifixion process for a reason, part of God’s Plan for men. The Sanhedrin couldn’t understand him. The crucifixion scene confounds human wisdom, and the expectations of His family and disciples had about the Saviour.

It’s not possible to define God based on our own expectations. As Paul noted in his first letter to the Corinthians and Luther emphasised in his theology, we can’t use common sense to arrive at an understanding of God. It’s impossible to create a concept of God that aligns with our beliefs, one that we can fully comprehend and accept. Such a God would be limited by our understanding and would be nothing more than an idol.