The Cross and the Capitol

I can’t get the image of the huge cross erected at the capitol riot out of my head. The symbol of the cross is a reminder of the Righteous giving up His life for the unrighteous. Of a death meant to open a path of reconciliation between God and people, and people and each other. The title ‘King of the Jews’ mounted on that cross reminds us that he did not view power the way we do.

The symbol of the cross represented nothing happening that day.

When Jesus took the title of ‘Messiah’, the people expected a political leader that would help them rise up and throw off the oppressor. And when at last he rode through the gates of Jerusalem on a donkey, they understood the symbolism and greeted him with joyous shouts of ‘Hosanna!’ (Freedom!). At last he would rise to rule and overthrow.

But instead – at the climax of this powerful moment – he turns and weeps over the spiritual state of the city. Frustrated, some tried to make him king ‘by force’, but he evaded them.

This is what Jesus had to say about politics.

“Give to caesar what is caesars, and to God what is God’s.”

“My kingdom is not of this world.”

“If a man forces you to go with him one mile, go with him two.”

“I did not come to be served, but to serve…. do likewise.”

“Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse.”

“The kingdom of God is within you.”

If Jesus himself had walked through that rally, he would have been met with cheers of expectation. At last! Cast down our enemies! But then he would have turned and wept over the spiritual blindness and rebellion of the crowd that cheered him. And soon.. those cheers would turn to cries of “Crucify him!”

So maybe the cross belonged there after all.