Cross of Towel

We have historically looked at the cross as an essential symbol of Christianity. Early Christians like Paul spoke of the cross. They also used other things as symbols for Christianity, like the simple drawing of a fish, taking the spelling of fish in Greek as an anagram for Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior. We have used a crown of thorns at times and other images, as well.

Mostly, however, we have found a way to distance those symbols from the reality of Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and crucifixion. The cross on the altar table at the church I serve is a beautifully polished brass ornament. The cross I wear on the chain around my neck was lovingly fashioned of chain mail by my son. The cross on the wall above the altar is of polished wood. The cross on the grounds outside our sanctuary is in need of some repair, but it was also designed to project a peaceful image. None of those reflect the reality of death by crucifixion as a rude, crude, and vulgar means of torture. That cross was not cleared of splinters and designed as a thing of beauty.

Sure, the cross is tied directly to Jesus’ death. The crucifix in Catholicism is a stark reminder of that grueling death. Sure, the empty cross points beyond death toward Jesus’ resurrection. Those were the tools Jesus used to wash the feet of his disciples on that same night of the Last Supper and his arrest and trial. The cross can point us to all those elements of sacrifice, pain, death, and agony which are so vividly portrayed in Jesus’ crucifixion. It points to the extent to which God was willing to go in declaring God’s love for all persons, even offering forgiveness while being mercilessly killed. What the cross does not point to is the kind of life to which Jesus called all those who would follow him. We might do better with the image of a towel and a basin of water.

Some will point to Stephen as the first martyr of the church who in a similar manner prayed for those who were stoning him. Yes, that has some relationship to how Jesus called us to live, but not in a way that displays any ongoing sense of our witness to the world around us. Stephen’s death really only shows us how to die as a faithful disciple being killed for a faithful witness. In our day-to-day living, the towel is much more representative.

The towel and basin point to Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, the task of the meanest servant. It also points to Jesus teaching us to love one another. It points us to what that love looks like. It reminds us of Jesus’ words about being great in God’s Reign requires being servants of all. Yes, I said, “Requires.” Jesus told of a Good Samaritan as the example for us to follow. He was one who interrupted his journey, placed himself at greater risk, got his hands dirty tending to a stranger’s wounds, used his own animal to carry this stranger towards help, reached into his own resources to pay for the man’s care and stay at an inn. Jesus does not finish the story until the man has promised to pick up the rest of the stranger’s tab on his return.

Jesus did not tell this story as some ideal reality to which no one could rise. It was not told as the story of one who did something extraordinary. It was told as the definition of what it means to love one’s neighbor. It was told as the very definition of how one must act if one is to honor God and participate in God’s Reign. Serving others lies at the heart of loving others. Serving others lies at the heart of following Jesus. It’s not just about how to be great in God’s Reign. It is what it means to follow Jesus. It is what it means to be Christian. The cross may show us how far God is willing to go for our redemption. The towel, however, shows us how far we are to go in following Jesus’ words and example. Living the reality of God’s Reign is a life of service. It is not just about remembering what Jesus did on the cross and in the resurrection. It is about living up to the purpose of our being redeemed. It is about living into God’s will as presented in Jesus. If we will not live lives of service, God’s Reign is not for us. If we won’t take up the towel, we might as well drop the facade of the cross.



— ©Copyright 2023, Christopher B. Harbin 



http://www.sermonsearch.com/contributors/104427/

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