Bloghardt's Reflector

Luther knew that anything can become an idol – even a good thing like an image of Christ. Godly images being abused even happened in the Old Testament. The Lord commanded the children of Israel to make a bronze serpent to deliver healing to those bitten by fiery serpents (Num 21:9). Later, that same image had to be destroyed because it was being worshiped (2 Kings 18:4) as God. The bronze serpent wasn't evil…until the Israelites worshiped it!

Crucifixes can also be abused, but that doesn't mean that they should be thrown out. Any statue, image, even an empty cross, can be worshiped. It's the misuse of the image that creates the sin, not its display in a church. This is what Dr. Luther argued against the iconoclasts.

The crucifix has always been a symbol of Christ's death on the cross for us and for our salvation. In fact, there is no greater proclaimed image! As St. Paul said, “We preach Christ and Him crucified.” (1 Cor. 1:23). Dr. Luther also commented, "The custom of holding a crucifix before a dying person has kept many in the Christian faith and has enabled them to die with a confident faith in the crucified Christ.” (AE 22,147)

“But, aren't crucifixes Roman Catholic?” Yes, Roman Catholics have crucifixes, but so do Lutherans, Episcopalians, and Anglicans. The Orthodox also use images of the crucifix in their churches. The crucifix in our chancel is a replica of the crucifix at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN. You can't get more Lutheran than our seminary, can you?

“But, I've been a Lutheran all my life and I've never seen a crucifix in a Lutheran Church.”That's understandable. There was a movement some time ago in American Lutheranism to try and blend in with the more popular Reformed Churches which do not use crucifixes (or liturgical vestments, or even music sometimes!). This led many to the mistaken opinion, especially in the South, that “empty” crosses were the only crosses which were permitted in churches. But, this was never the view of historical Christianity, and especially not Lutheranism.

“Isn't an empty cross the symbol of Christ's resurrection?” No, an empty cross has never been a symbol of the Lord's resurrection. The cross would have been empty even if Christ was still in the tomb! The cross and the crucifix are the traditional symbols of Jesus' death for us.

So, why a crucifix? Anyone can die on a cross. It doesn't have to be Jesus. Two thieves died with Him - their death didn't save anyone. But, when God becomes flesh in the person of Christ, when He adorns Himself with the image of our flesh and dies on the Cross, that saves us from our sins! The crucifix is a visual reminder of the graphic nature of what Christ did for us. This is Christ and Him crucified for us!

That's why St. Paul tells the Corinthians, “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” (1 Cor. 2:2). If you want to know Jesus, know the Crucified One. He's risen, still bearing those scars – scars given to Him on the Cross (St. John 20:25). So, as you rejoice in Christ risen from the dead, remember what won your salvation – Jesus Christ and Him crucified (Rev. 5:6).

Now, take another look at that crucifix. Yes, it's different. You are just as free in Christ to like as you are to not like it. You are free to prefer it to an empty Cross. You are free to not. No judging one as “more Lutheran” than the another. Both symbols are given to focus on your attention on what Jesus did for you – how He suffered and died for all your sins. That's why both symbols are there. To point you to Christ. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

(This is an insert in our bulletin.  After speaking with the Board of Elders, we placed HT's crucifix in our chancel.  It needed a place to live and it seemed a waste to keep it in a box all year.)