In her book, The Crucifixion, Fleming Rutledge writes:<\/p>\n
“Susan Sontag, who suffered for years from the cancer that eventually killed her, wrote this: ‘It is not suffering as such that is most deeply feared but suffering that degrades.\u2019 Here in a few words is a fundamental insight with which to view the crucifixion. If Jesus\u2019 demise is construed merely as a death – even as a painful, tortured death – the crucial point will be lost. Crucifixion was specifically designed to be the ultimate insult to personal dignity, the last word in humiliating and dehumanizing treatment. Degradation was the whole point\u2026”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
This is deeply disturbing to me as I reflect on these words during this Holy Week and in light of Paul\u2019s description of the cross as being, \u201cthe wisdom and power of God.\u201d (1 Corinthians 1:23-24) How can the degradation of the cross be both God\u2019s wisdom and power? Paul answers by saying that while, \u201cthe word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, to us who are being saved it is the power of God\u2026For since in the wisdom of God the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach (a crucified Savior) to save those who believe.\u201d <\/p>\n
The Gospel is that on the cross Jesus, the Son of God, willingly, voluntarily, and purposefully absorbed all the diabolical hatred of every human heart who has ever lived, including yours and mine. <\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nThere is a green hill far away,
Without a city wall,
Where the dear Lord was crucified,
Who died to save us all. pic.twitter.com\/MV7PPs9C4e<\/a><\/p>\n— Holy Trinity Geneva (@GenevaAnglican) April 15, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n