|
Hello to all the Monthly Minute readers of West Hempfield Presbyterian Church!
It is tradition at WHPC that the cross in the front of the sanctuary is replaced with a crucifix during Lent.
We aren’t making the switch for the full season of Lent anymore, but it still happens. Keep an eye out. This year the crucifix will be up from March 17 through Good Friday.
You don’t often see a crucifix in Protestant churches like ours. Protestant theology tends to put the emphasis on the resurrection, rather than on the crucifixion. The empty cross, like the empty tomb, speaks more to Christ’s victory over death, rather than his suffering on the cross.
Neither is wrong though. Both are necessary and important. We have a choice regarding where we place the emphasis, but we can’t ignore the rest.
It’s not just two options either. As with much of Scripture there is a lot of rich meaning in every word and image.
The crucifixion, as an example, causes many to reflect on the suffering of Christ.
Indeed, crucifixion was an extreme amount of suffering. It is hard not to think about how Christ suffered while nailed upon the cross.
But let’s not forget, the cross was also humiliating.
| 
