The cross is 'culturally' offensive, it was not talked about in polite conversation. The very idea that a god, immortal and eternal, could be crucified is madness.
It is also 'historically' offensive. Christians claim that a jewish peasant, executed under Roman law, is the LORD and saviour of the world. He alone deserves the term 'christ', not ceaser.
Thirdly, it's 'philisophically' offensive. Rather than the cross just being an illustration of divine love, it is the basis for divine love. The cross shows God's universal love and forgiveness.
The cross shows Jesus' total submission.
Through His death we gain life.
Fourthly, it's 'morally' offensive. To put it simply (thank goodness!) you cannot save yourself.
To look upon this broken, bleeding, peirced, mangled messiah is hard, and some turn away or deny Him. But it's through faith in the crucified Jesus that we are saved.
With all these offences, why did the early christians glory in the cross?
Why did they hold up this bloody instrument of torture?
Rob Bell commented upon the weirdness of the idea of the cross in modern day church. He says that essentially we are displaying a horrible torture/execution device on the wall or roof of our churches. Like bowing down at the foot of the guillotine. Like displaying the lethal injection table in our church. Like wearing a golden minature AK47 around our necks!
Seriously though, it is not the cross itself we display, but the meaning behind it. Much like how Jesus lived and taught, it was never about what was said or heard, but the hidden meaning.
Christianity isn't blatant.
It isn't easy to look at.
We have all gotta do some searching.
Love you x
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