The Theology of the Cross (Video 1:57)

The Theology of the Cross

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The "theology of the Cross" is a key concept in the writings of Paul, based on the Synoptic Gospels. (Because of John's high Christology, the Cross is less central in his Gospel, except as it fulfills Jesus' mission on earth.)
    Jesus states this theology (that there is no glory without the Cross) several times, by word and deed (the Crucifixion). The Messianic Secret in the Gospel of Mark is part of this theology; for Jesus' secrecy about who he is discourages his followers from falsely thinking he came to give them glory without the Cross (the Jewish belief that a King would come to bring glory).
    The most dramatic example of the misunderstanding between Jesus and his apostles is when Peter tempts Jesus away from the Cross and Jesus replies, "Get thee behind me, Satan."
    This sounds harsh. But in fleeing from the Cross, Peter embraces the world's values. Now since, according to the Gospels, the world is owned by Satan, Peter, in embracing the world, has become Satan.
   If you click on the slide show (right) it will lead you to a charming two-minute cartoon video of this Cross theme, based on the Gospel of Luke: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (LUKE 9:23).
    But to see how difficult it is to know what Jesus meant, note a variant of this quote in the earliest Gospel, Mark: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (MARK 8:34).
    In LUKE, Jesus says to take up one's Cross "daily"; but that word is omitted in MARK. This suggests that Luke has softened somewhat the theology in Mark. For "daily" suggests that the Cross need not lead to death, as in the case of Jesus.
    It is little details like this, often of a single word, as here, which makes study of the Bible so interesting.

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