No Pointless Cross

Things do not mean anything unless they are connected to other things. What we say, what we know, what we own, what we do are pointless in themselves. In 1 Corinthians 13:2-3 Paul observes that, even in their extreme forms, words, knowledge, possessions, deeds do not mean anything unless we use them in connection with caring about other people:

“If I speak in the languages of people and angels but don’t have love, like a noisy gong or crashing cymbal I don’t mean anything. If I prophesy, understand all mysteries, know everything, have enough faith to move mountains but don’t love, I am nothing. If I give everything I own to feed the poor and give up my body so I can take pride in doing so but don’t love, I don’t gain anything.”

The writer of Ecclesiastes says repeatedly that everything under the sun is pointless. In contrast, he concludes that respecting God and following his directives is our role (12:13). So, to have any importance, everything we involve ourselves in needs to be connected with other persons—people and God.

These introductory comments highlight the nature of what Jesus did on the cross. He said he cares about us this much—to the point of giving his body for us in obedience to the Father’s commandment.

In this simple observance, we acknowledge that love and honor him for it. His crucifixion meant something, and our remembering it is far from being a pointless response.