THE CENTRALITY OF THE CROSS

We look at the world through the cross of Jesus. Our life is given meaning by the cross of Jesus and our beliefs are determined by the cross. We are fortunate and exited to introduce a painted cross by Rev. Dieter Berner, on which some of the main events in the life of Jesus are depicted. He painted the following scenes: Jesus's birth; Jesus' baptism; The calling of the disciples; The washing of the disciple’s feet; Jesus praying in Gethsemane; The crucifixion of Jesus; The resurrection of Jesus; Jesus appeared to Thomas; Pentecost; Jesus knocking on the door of our hearts (Revelation 3:20) and The Second Coming of Jesus.

It is essential for us as followers of Jesus to continue to grow in our faith. It becomes part of our spiritual growth to connect with Jesus in different ways. One of the ways that is ideally suited to help us in meditation and contemplation is to look at depictions of the life of Jesus. By looking at a particular picture, painting or drawing we allow the Lord, through His Spirit, to convey a message to us. It has the potential to aid in our spiritual growth and to deepen our relationship with the Lord. The colours, forms, atmosphere and style of an image, contribute to the message of the painting and lead us in a new way to look at God and to ourselves. It helps us to employ all our senses in the quest to understand the message of the Gospel of Jesus on a deeper level. An image has the ability to bind us on an emotional level to the specific Biblical event and to bring new spiritual truths. It deepens our relationship with God.

On a Wednesday afternoon at 17:00 in the prayer room (vestry) everyone has an opportunity for reflection, contemplation and meditation. This painted cross contributes in a unique way to meditate on the life of Jesus and to lead us to explore new insights. The cross was not fully covered with paintings for a deliberate reason. The open section (at the bottom of the vertical bar) invites us to fill in our own stories and connections with Jesus. While we meditate we “see” our lives and stories in that space.

Paul quotes in Colossians chapter one a special song celebrating the supreme position of Jesus. This is the inspiration for the painted cross:

15Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, 16for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. 17He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. 18Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. 19For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, 20and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.