Lift High the Cross

Scripture:  Numbers 21:4-9, John 3:14-21
Hymns: "To God be the glory" #102; "Lift high the cross" #321
Focus:  What are the symbols that we choose to "lift up," that guide us, that provide a sense of meaning, purpose and salvation?  The scriptures make clear that Jesus is the one who is to be lifted up.  All other symbols, institutions, principalities and powers must relinquish their positions to the power of the cross.

Oh, those whining Israelites.  It seems that every time we read about their wanderings in the desert, they are complaining again.  Big river ahead, army behind! "Were there not enough graves in Egypt?"  Only bitter water to drink! "Why did you lead us out here in the desert to die?"  There is not food! "At least in Egypt we had meat and onions to eat!"  There is no food except this pathetic manna! "We can’t stand it any more!"  These snakes are killing us! "Help us, Moses!"

And every time, God rescued them.  The sea was parted.  The bitter water was made sweet.  Food rained down from heaven.  Water poured from the rock.  Quail descended upon their camp.  Threatening armies were defeated.  And the bronze snake was lifted up and the people were healed!

Through the wanderings in the desert, the Israelites came to know their God.  In the womb of the desert, their faith took shape and grew like an infant developing within its mother.  They came to know that Yahweh was a God of awesome power, incredible loyalty and a God who provided salvation and healing even in the midst of the Israelites doubt, complaining and hard heartedness.  While they were yet doubting sinners, God saved them.

An important religious symbol that developed during this phase of spiritual development was the bronze serpent placed upon a pole.  It became a symbol of salvation, a reminder of God’s faithfulness and power to heal.  The bronze snake on the pole pointed to a God of salvation, a God of love.

John the Evangelist records a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, a Pharisee who came to Jesus in the cover of darkness.  In this conversation, Jesus recalls the story of the Israelites and the bronze snake.  Jesus creates a parallelism between the bronze snake, a symbol of healing and salvation, to himself, the Son of Man. "Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life."

John the Evangelist wrote these words likely fifty or so years after Jesus’ death.  It would have been clear to John’s audience that Jesus' statement, "so must the Son of Man be lifted up," was referring to his death on the cross. Whereas many expected the Messiah to deliver political liberation and righteous judgement upon the nations, Jesus proclaims that he came Jesus came not to judge but to save.  Jesus came not to condemn but to redeem.  Jesus came not to destroy but to build up.

And thus, the symbol of the church throughout its history has become the cross.  It is the cross that the church has placed on its spires and steeples.  It is the cross that is placed above all other symbols in the sanctuary.  It is the cross that reminds us of the sacrificial love with which God loves us.  It is the cross that reminds us of the humility and God-centered vision that Jesus demonstrated. It is the cross that reminds us that obedience to God demands our very lives.  It is the cross to which we look for healing and for hope.  It is the cross that we, as Christians, lift up.

But the cross is not the only symbol that we acknowledge and respect.  And Jesus is not the only one to whom we look for safety and healing. Sometimes we get confused and believe that other symbols stand toe to toe with the cross, containing within themselves a vision of God.  Let me introduce two of those symbols this morning.   

(Go get American flag and Peace Flag and place them on stage.)

Old Glory, I remember as a member of the Pandora-Gilboa Rockets football team watching you wave across the football field before a game.   The team lined up on the goal line, facing you, singing our nation’s anthem to you. I remember feeling shivers of emotion as I sang, "and the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there." You are a symbol of pride, of confident success in the midst of struggle, of enduring strength in the midst of balttle. You stand for freedom and bravery. And on those cool, crisp nights, with the smells of mown grass, popcorn and sweat stimulating my senses, and crowds singing and shouting in unison, you flew tall above everything else.  You were inspiring.  You were energizing.

(Move to Peace Flag.)

Peace Flag, you are young and still somewhat unfamiliar.  I don’t feel like I know you very well yet.  But, from first sight, I liked you.  I don’t have a history of meaning with you like I have with Old Glory over there.  You haven’t given me shivers on cool, crisp nights.  I have not sung any songs to you.  You are beginning to feel a sense of pride as I see you catch the wind in front of our churchbrothers.  You are attractive and pleasant to look upon.  And there is something about you that gives me hope and comfort.  I am even beginning to feel a sense of pride as I see you catch the wind in front of our church like the sail on a boat.  Others like you too.  Several have asked me where they can find one of your sisters or brothers.  I am proud to give them this information.  People find you calming and full of hope.

(Move to US Flag)

Old Glory, your colors have been given meaning as well.  White stands for purity and innocence.  Red symbolizes hardiness and valor.  Your blue field represents the "commander in chief," the office of president, and the vigilance, perseverance and justice that the office holds.  Your stars are the symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which humanity aspires, the stripes themselves symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun.

These meanings assigned to your symbols so long ago represent honorable ideals and virtues for which all should strive.  Surely we do well to reflect on these ideals and virtues whenever we see you.

(Move to Peace Flag)

Peace Flag, you really need a name like Old Glory over there.  How do you like, "New Hope" or "Missy Usa" (after MC USA) the denomination you represent.  While your colors have not been assigned meaning, green is often considered a symbol of life while white represents purity.  Your simple design reminds us of your vision for simple lifestyles.  The dove has come to have multiple meanings in our faith history. "Your dove brings to mind Genesis 1 and creation—the flood, and the dove returning with the olive branch—in other words, the biblical themes of hope and creation."

Your image also reminds us of Jesus’ baptism where a dove descends on Jesus and a voice from heaven declares, "This is my beloved Son." We are also reminded of Pentecost, with the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the church.  "Your dove" brings to mind the Anabaptist vision, with its theme of peace and renewal."  And your dove’s forward motion "points us to God and the Holy Spirit, extending to us an invitation to move forward with Christ and seek the kingdom of God."  

Your olive branch has long stood as a symbol of peace and reconciliation.  The leaves on the branch represent life.

Your words proclaim a clear message constantly calling us to pray and to act for peace.

Peace, hope, creation, life; these too are virtues and ideals that we must reflect on and appreciate every time we see you.

(Go to US Flag)

Old Glory, you demand honor and respect.  No other flag is to fly above you.  You dip or bow to nothing or no one.  You receive the place of honor when in the presence of other flags.  You are not to touch the ground or be contaminated by the earth.

(Go to Peace Flag)

Peace Flag, you have no demands placed upon you.  Most of your constituents have never touched your silky skin.  Honor is given to you based on one’s confession of faith as opposed to one’s place of residence.

(Go to US Flag)

Old Glory, you represent not only ideals, you represent a people living in a specific land.  In fact, "we the people" are the ones you represent.  But sometimes I confess that I feel like a foreigner in this land.  And I confess that I am very angry at "we the people" for not being able to achieve or live up to the ideals that you proclaim.  You demand my money.  Some of it I give to you gladly because I know it helps the poor, it feeds the hungry and it gives life.  Some of my money I give reluctantly because I know it is used for weapons of war, for destructive programs and to take life.  I am angry because you recruit our youngest adults to fight our wars; people who have not yet lived their lives.  I am angry because you use your superior power to threaten, control and manipulate world events to serve your, uh, our purposes.  I am angry that so often "we the people" follow you blindly and obediently without questioning your motives and your purposes.  I am angry at you for demanding loyalty above all other loyalties.  You can protect my life but you cannot provide ultimate peace or salvation.  You are not God!

(Peace Flag)

Peace Flag, you too represent not only ideals but a people of faith.  Followers of Christ, we are called.  And while I generally feel at home in the presence of this large community of faith, I am sometimes disillusioned and angry when your ideals are not accomplished.  You claim to represent a "non-racist" church, but we are far from reaching this goal.  I am angry when we "followers of Christ" are smug and self-righteous regarding our peace position, and base our peace arguments on political perspectives rather than faithful foundations. I am angry when "Mennonite" represents a heritage from the past rather than a vision for the future. I am angry when you ask for our money but don’t clearly communicate your vision.  You can point the way to God through your teachings and vision but you cannot provide ultimate peace or salvation.  You are not God!

(US Flag)

I recognize that you represent an institution with power and authority in my life.  I will do my best to help you reach your ideals.  I will do my best to fulfill your demands upon my life.  And I accept the consequences of choosing not to follow your laws.  But I must respectfully remove you from your place of honor…(Remove and fold flag.)  I place you at the foot of the cross where you belong.

(Peace Flag)

Well, here you stand as the only flag.  A privilege you will rarely experience.  I will seek to be faithful to your demands of discipleship.  I will try to pray regularly for peace.  I will seek to live my life according to your confession of faith.  But while my love for all that you represent runs deep and true, I must respectfully remove you from your place of honor….(remove and fold flag)  I place you at the foot of the cross where you belong.

(Facing Cross)  God, you alone are judge.  You alone have the power to condemn.  You alone have the power to offer eternal life.  We, the people…we, the followers of Christ, humble ourselves before you, and we place ourselves at the foot of the cross where we belong.  (kneel at cross)

(Pause and silence)