“The cross is ‘irreligious’ because no human being individually or human beings collectively would have projected their hopes, wishes, longings, and needs onto a crucified man… Christianity is the only major religion to have as its central focus the suffering and degradation of its God.” (Fleming Rutledge, The Crucifixion)

May we move away from the cross being too familiar. May the cross always keep us in wonder… and horror. We need to re-establish the horror of our God being cruelly tortured and humiliated. Don’t let the cross simply “move” us. May it horrify us.

Don’t sanitize the very core of our Christian faith.