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++ JESU JUVA ++

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Behold the life-giving cross on which was hung the salvation of the world. O come, let us worship Him.

Most of the time when the church celebrates a feast, it’s in honor of a saint or an event in the life of Jesus. But today we honor an object. Today we celebrate the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. This is because the cross of Jesus lies at the very heart of Christianity. Not that we pretend that Jesus is dead. (We don’t even do that on Good Friday!) The church doesn’t play theater. We deal in what is real.

We know that Jesus is raised from the dead and He will nevermore die again. Alleluia! Christ is risen! — He is risen, indeed! Alleluia! Yes, Christ is risen from the dead, but everything revolves around His crucifixion. For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes (1 Corinthians 11:26). In heaven, the saints of God sing, Worthy is the Lamb who was slain (Revelation 5:12). For we preach Christ crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23).

Today is also called “The Triumph of the Holy Cross.” The cross has triumphed over the whole world. The Lord Himself, God incarnate, was meek and lowly. A few sorcerers from the East worshipped at His crib. Jesus grew in wisdom and stature. He taught. He fed. He healed. He helped. A bruised reed He did not break. A smoldering wick He did not snuff out. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him. Yet He was rejected, despised, forsaken. On trial for blasphemy, He asserted that His Kingdom belonged not to this world. For He was the Ancient of Days, the promised King reigning upon David’s throne forever.

But He was regarded as no King. Arrayed in a purple robe. Adorned with a crown of thorns Venerated with mock homage. When Pilate asked whether the crowd desired the crucifixion of their King, the chief priests of the Jews replied: “We have no King but Caesar!” So Pilate delivered Him over to them to be crucified. The Romans carried out the dirty work. Upon the Lord’s death, the voice of a single Roman centurion declared, “Truly this was the Son of God.”

A few centuries later, Emperor Constantine bowed before this King. Then, also, rulers of Europe and Africa. His subjects were found in India and Asia. And now they can be found throughout the whole earth. Jesus has truly accomplished what He promised: And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself (John 12:32).

Today we celebrate a mystery. The cross — an instrument and image of shame and death — has become the image of God’s glory. The instrument from which people hid their faces is now the glorious symbol of salvation. The instrument of death is now the means of life!

Behold the life-giving cross on which was hung the salvation of the world. O come, let us worship Him.

[We wish to see Jesus.]

During Jesus’ earthly ministry, everyone wanted to see Jesus. Even King Herod. But he wanted to see Jesus the way people want to see a celebrity. Maybe witness one of His tricks up close and personal. Maybe get a selfie.

Today’s Gospel tells of some Greek who wish to see Jesus. This is significant because Greeks aren’t Jews. They are Gentiles — alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers to the covenants of promise, without hope, and without God. Yet these outsiders seek to see the Christ. “And in His name Gentiles will trust” (Matthew 12:21).

It seems that now should be the time to welcome them in. Give them an audience with the King! But in reading this text, it’s hard to conclude that Jesus grants these Greeks an audience. Instead, Jesus responds to the request by telling Andrew and Philip, It’s time for Me to be glorified. If you want to see Me — if you truly wish to know Me — you must look where I am glorified.

Jesus is not dismissing the Gentiles. He will permit them to see Him. Stick around five more days, and You will behold My glory. His glory is not a miracle or a healing. It’s not His transfiguration or His ascension. It’s not even His resurrection! “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” This He said, signifying by what death He would die (John 12:32-33).

This is how Jesus wishes to be known. Not as a great miracle-worker. Not as a good teacher. He says the way He wishes the Greeks to see Him —. The way He wishes His disciples to see Him —. The way He wishes you and the whole world to see Him is this: as He is lifted up to die. He wants to be seen as the one who is crucified.

But why does this work? Why does the depiction of a naked man being executed on an instrument of torture draw all peoples to Himself? Because He is doing all of this not for Himself but for you. He was not pierced because He hated man. He did not bear our humiliation and shame and sin and taste death for us because He hated us. This is the fullness of His tender, divine love toward us.

Because of our sin, we were helpless, unable to free ourselves. We were guilty, condemned to eternal death and separation from God for all eternity. And He loved us in our guilt. This cross is the revelation of the Father’s heart toward you.