The Beautiful Catastrophe

Beware of simplistic and formulaic explanations of the Cross. We cannot easily know the mystery of how the crucifixion of Jesus Christ saves the world. We readily confess it, but that does not mean we can glibly "explain" it. The Bible does not give us a simple, formulaic explanation of the Cross. What the Bible does do is give us a myriad of metaphors about the Cross. One of the most mysterious metaphors of the Cross is Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness. Jesus, in his late night conversation with Nicodemus, chooses to use this strange story to depict his crucifixion and the saving effect it will have on the those who look upon it in faith.