A Reflection on the Cross

I remember when I was young, those useless plastic toys that proclaimed "Jesus loves you!" We got them at church as rewards for good behavior. We got them at the VBS carnivals when we scored high points on any one game. We got them in our Easter eggs from my grandparents. Whistles, yoyos, plastic jewlery, erasers, and pencils that said "Jesus loves you!" right next to that always-plastic, big, yellow, who-is-ever-really-that-happy smiley face. That smiley face that we all know. Those black beady little eyes and overly arched black smile-for-a-mouth.

But today, as I reflected on the cross - the death of one man who sought to save humanity from it's disgustingness - I realized what a mockary that always-plastic, big, yellow, who-is-ever-really-that-happy smiley face might be when plastered next the proclimation "Jesus loves you!" I know it's true, oh don't I know. But that's the point exactly.

That proclimation, when considering that it rings true to us because we know the events of the cross, is weighty. It weighs heavily on my heart and rips at my flesh. It shouts in the silence where wispers would be powerful enough, "and what will you do!?" "How will you honor the holy One who died on the cross reserved for punishing your sins?" This is not a child's game of yoyo. This was not written will that tie-dyed happy face pencil, but will the blood of a man. And how has it provoked me to honor my God? Do I love like this... NEVER.

That proclimation, when considering that it is true not only for me but for Joseph Koni as well, is haunting. "Joseph Koni, Jesus loves you!" [insert that always-plastic, big, yellow, who-is-ever-really-that-happy smiley face here] "Although you've ruined the lives of thousands of young children and blantently stolen the lives of still more..." [insert that always-plastic, big, yellow, who-is-ever-really-that-happy smiley face]. Foolish mockary! Mockary in the face of the child of God who strives to bring life to others by speaking the name of this Jesus. Mockary to those who seek justice.

That proclimation, when considering that woman are being sold as sex slaves and children are being mutilated for higher profits in begging, is heartbreaking. "O, Woman in that dark room, lying next to that stranger, Jesus loves you!" [insert that always-plastic, big, yellow, who-is-ever-really-that-happy smiley face here] "Children begging in the streets for no return, Jesus loves you!" [insert that always-plastic, big, yellow, who-is-ever-really-that-happy smiley face here] Tragic mockary! Mockary to those children who will never know childhood! Moackary to those women who might never understand the love of a man!

I know it's true, oh don't I know. But Jesus' love does not always have an always-plastic, big, yellow, who-is-ever-really-that-happy smiley face attached. Jesus' love cried "Father! Why must it be this way!?" It poured blood and scrapped flesh across planks of wood. It murdered a man so that others might be alive. It sometimes calls for a deep reflection. It sometimes calls for a gentle touch to the broken skin of one who has been marred by evil. It often inspired a face not so plastic, bright, and smiley.

Jesus, O Precious Jesus, thank you for your love. All honor and glory be to you who humbled yourself to the point of death on behalf of others. Thanks sweet Lord for your love. Thank you that you love Joseph Koni even when I cannot fathom the reason. Thank you Jesus that you have intercedes for the woman and children who might never be freed from oppression. You alone are God. You alone are GOOD.