But how exactly does that work? Ho do we make sense of that? Lots of theories, but no one really knows.
While the cross of Christ is historical and did something to us objective and concrete, it also offers us healing for our minds, emotions, and relationships. In other words, the cross did something to us and for us whether we feel it or not and can also change the way we think and feel about ourselves and others. Contemplating the Son of God dying a criminal's death for us because he loves us, frees us from a lot of guilt, judgment, and self-hatred.
We spend much of our time thinking about what we and others should be and are not. This leads to sadness and anger. But, contemplating the death of Jesus frees us from much of it. The cross gives us a radical reorientation regarding what we and others should be.
- On the cross God became limited and confined. Now I can more easily accept my own limitations and the limitations of others.
- On the cross God became inferior so I don't have to pretend I am superior.
- On the cross God became weak so I don't have to be strong or judge the weakness of others.
- On the cross God became disapproved so now I don't need the approval of others.
- In the religious and civil courts God was proved wrong so I don't have to always demand justice for myself.
- In the world's eyes and in the minds of his friends God was a failure so now I don't be a success or demand it from others.
- On the cross God became poor in every way and he got over it. Now I don't have to be rich in any way.
We suffer far too much and too often because we don't measure up to what we think we ought to be. We judge others in the same way. Once we see that God became one of us and took on himself everything we don't like about ourselves, and got over it, so can we.
We are just human and Jesus showed us that that's good enough.