GOD'S ROSE OF SHARON

MANKIND’S BLACK SYMPHONY

"Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour." Mark 15:33

There are many reasons why the symbolism of the cross in Christian theology is such an amazing image. Its details are so horrific in its brutality and gore that words are inadequate to describe it. In May of 2000, I began a painting that has affected my life ever since that time. It is titled "An Aroma Pleasing to the Lord" and it was my interpretation of God’s forgiveness and unconditional love. The power and majesty of the cross is the greatest puzzle ever to be put before mankind.

The cross of Christian theology transcends all comprehension and human reasoning in it’s complexity and bloody nature. This is important to remember. Without a cross there could of been no reconciliation between God and man and most importantly, there could not of been a resurrection. The very truth and power found in Christianity itself.

One of my favorite songs is "The Old Rugged Cross" by George Bennard. Here is the first verse of that great song.

"On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain."

As I have grown older this old beloved hymn of our Christian tradition has taken on a new perspective for me. There is an obscure verse found in Psalm 22 that I hold very precious because I have come to realize that if the cross was God’s plan all along then it was never an "emblem of suffering and shame" in the courts of heaven nor in the throne room of Almighty God Himself.

Have you ever wondered why Jesus cried out from the cross "MY God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Read Psalm 22verse one. You will find that David prophesied and Jesus echoed that same prophecy from His triumphant cross. Now here is the verse hidden in that same chapter of Psalm’s that change your perspective of the cross and God‘s eye view that dark day.

"He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; Nor has He hidden His face from Him; But when He cried to Him, He heard." Psalm 22:24

I believe Jesus wanted us, humanity to know in His cries from the cross that His Father had not forgotten Him nor turned His face away from Calvary’s hill. God watched as creation’s plan for redemption unfolded and He heard the cries of His beloved Son. He hears your hearts cry even today. The cross of Christ means simply to love other’s as He has unconditionally loved us and to be a witness of His grace and mercy proclaimed from that old rugged cross.

James Robert Kessler
Because of Him Art Ministry 2010