Pastor’s Corner November 2009

The following was published in our monthly newsletter, the Redeemer Report.

Galatians 6:14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

There were several parts of the new sanctuary design that were saved for future generations to add. Eventually we would love to see beautiful stained glass added and a pipe organ placed in a balcony from which the choir could sing. Another element that was planned for but not immediately placed was a cross. As God’s providence would have it, a specially designated gift was given to provide a cross for the sanctuary. Elder Bob Reymond and I worked together with Ratigan (the same company that made our pews, pulpit, and other furnishings) to design the cross you now see in the sanctuary. It is a simple Celtic design that brings a sense of completion to the sanctuary.

An empty cross is a symbol of Christ’s finished, redemptive work, plain and simple. The cross is not a symbol of Jesus Himself, but rather what He did for us. The cross is not an object to be worshiped or otherwise venerated in any way. Early Reformed churches removed crucifixes (crosses with Jesus being crucified) from sanctuaries in the 16th century because of their misuse. Now, some 500 years later, without the same idolatrous Roman baggage, the symbol of the empty cross serves as a reminder and declaration of what we believe and is affirmed in the Apostle’s Creed – “Who (Jesus) was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried”.

May the whole of Redeemer’s worship space help us to reflect upon the holiness and grace of our God, for His glory alone.

1 Corinthians 2:2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

In the Lamb,
Pastor Tony Felich