It sounds implausible and downright unbelievable. How could the church which is founded upon the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ be ashamed of the cross? The answer is more disturbing than the question. I have noticed in Evangelical, Pentecostal, and Charismatic circles that the Crucifixion is downplayed. Crucifixes are nonexistent, even in the form of artwork during Good Friday. In fact, few churches save the Catholic, Orthodox, Armenian, Anglican, Lutheran, and more liturgical Churches celebrate Good Friday. Protestants which comprise more than one half of the whole church population tend to minimize imagery of the Crucifixion.
This is a cause for concern. The Crucifixion is multi-layered moment in our faith. It is when Jesus Christ bore the sins of all mankind, it is when salvation was bought for all who believe in Jesus, it is when God showed his greatest love for us; dying an agonizing death on a cross so He could be with us. It was a wedding day, when Bridegroom laid His life down for the Bride and what husbands are told to do for their wives according to St. Paul, "husbands love your wives as Jesus loved the church, laying down your life for hers." (Ephesians 5:25). The Crucifixion is the central point, when as Jesus on the cross says, "it is finished," (John 19:30). Without the Crucifixion, sin is undefeated and there is nothing to cover our shame, wicked ways, and transgressions. Without the crucifixion, we have no promise of salvation, not admittance and promise of heaven (paradise). But even worse, without the crucifixion we cannot be close to God. It is only by Christ's blood and death that we can stand in presence of the Father. In short the Crucifixion gives us: salvation, freedom from sin, connection and closeness to God, and eternal life.
Many churches don't disregard the crucifixion, they merely try to pass over. They treat Good Friday like funeral and sing dirges and dark hymns of lament. They shout, "don't worry Sunday is coming." But Friday is Good. We should celebrate and remember Christ's Crucifixion! In fact, we are told by St. Paul to do this. He said, "For when you eat the bread and drink from the cup you remember the Lord's death until he comes." (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). We remember Christ's death through Communion and are commanded to do it until He returns to us on Judgment Day.
I recently visited a Christian bookstore and marveled at how there were books, paintings, and plethora of other purchasable regarding the Resurrection, but hardly anything regarding the Crucifixion. In the Theology section I fished out one book on Atonement and how Jesus' Death set us free and changed everything. The rest of estimated 499 books were about Church building, social issues, growth, self help, and etc. But shouldn't the very core and cornerstone of our faith: Jesus Christ and the act He did to save us which is the Gospel message (including Resurrection) be a focus? St. Paul said, "We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. But to those called to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power and wisdom of God." (1 Corinthians 1:23-24). ).
The Crucifixion is part of the centerpiece of salvation. I have written before about how the Crucifixion and Resurrection are twin pillars of Christ's salvic act. The Resurrection gets ample coverage in all churches, but my concern is that Crucifixion is being glossed over, minimalized, and even treated as burden and shame in some church circles. For those who have trouble with the Crucified Christ and prefer the Empty Tomb, let me remind you that you can't have Resurrection Day without the Crucifixion! Easter as they call it (I call it Resurrection Day or the Third Day, Easter is pagan name) has no special meaning if Jesus did not die first!
Obviously, the Resurrection should not be overshadowed either. Both the Crucifixion and the Resurrection must receive our attention, thanksgiving, and focus. We need to remember our sins are forgiven, that Jesus made propitiation (took our place and satisfied the wrath of God) and we need to remember we have Resurrection Life in us and that death died when Jesus Christ did rise from the dead! My contention is that the Crucifixion isn't getting the coverage that Resurrection does save for in the Orthodox, Roman, and liturgical churches.
I am aware this comes late, Good Friday was last week. But the Crucifixion and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ should not be reserved for two days in April, it should be all year! I encourage you to contemplate and consider just what Jesus did on the cross! His sacrifice should bring us both sorrow (tears) for it was our sin that crucified Him, but also joy because we are justified by that same death!
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