Beyond the Cross

The cross, a symbol of shame, torture, and humiliation receives far too often a status of divine instrument of salvation. It is not.

Jesus at the cross

In music, films, poetry, and art in general we often hear and see about the cross as the ultimate symbol of salvation – a powerful image of God's love and sacrifice for our sins. And it absolutely is! But what if there is an even grander, more expansive story unfolding that the cross, in a simplified view, might be distracting us from?

This post is not suggesting the cross is unimportant, quite the opposite. Instead, it challenges us to look beyond a narrow interpretation of the cross as just a transaction for personal sin and embrace the cosmic, kingdom-sized drama that it truly is.

Let us dive into the "bigger picture."

More Than a Transaction: A Cosmic Victory

The traditional understanding of the cross often focuses on atonement – Jesus's death as the payment for our sins, reconciling us with a holy God. While this is profoundly true and central to our faith, howeve, that it is just one piece of a much larger puzzle.

The perspective posited in this post, is rooted in the ancient Mesopotamian idea of a "Divine Council" framework (expounded in books like The Unseen Realm), paints a picture of a universe embroiled in a spiritual conflict. God according to Scriptures originally delegated authority to divine beings to help Him govern creation. However, many of these beings rebelled, leading to a spiritual "takeover" of various parts of the earth.

This is not about humanity's fall; it is about a cosmic rebellion that affected the entire created order. And Jesus's mission, then, was not only to save individual souls but to reclaim the entire earth from these rebellious spiritual forces. Salvation in this framework is a secondary purposeful goal. The primary aim is to reclaim God’s rule over the disinherited nations after the human rebellion at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 32:8-9) and God keeping to himself a people (Israelites descendants of Abraham) and making them “His portion”. These powerful divine beings assigned to rule the nations allotted to them, God expected them to guide these nations towards worshipping the One True God; they did not. Instead, they corrupted the nations and enslaved them to worship themselves instead of God. These powerful divine rulers violated God’s moral rule, and for that reason God indicted them and condemned to “die as mere princes” (Psalm 82).

The Cross and Resurrection: A Declaration of War and Victory

Think of it this way: the cross was not just a place of suffering; it was a battlefield where Jesus definitively defeated the unseen powers that had usurped God's authority. His death was not a sign of weakness but the ultimate strategic move in a spiritual war. The divine plan was to conquer and reclaim the nations and bring them back to God’s family. God’s strategy involved the following:

Defeating the Powers of Darkness: The Bible consistently speaks of spiritual enemies – "principalities and powers," "rulers of this present darkness." Paul writes in Colossians 2:15, "He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him." This is not just metaphorical language; Scripture suggests it refers to real spiritual beings who had dominion over the nations (see Deuteronomy 32:8-9 for the concept of God dividing the nations under divine beings, and Psalm 82 for God's judgment on these "gods").

Jesus's death was the decisive blow against these entities, stripping them of their power and authority. He did not just die for us; he died against them, securing their ultimate downfall.

Reclaiming God's Authority: The resurrection sealed this victory. It proved Jesus's complete authority over death, hell, and all spiritual opposition. It was God's declaration that Jesus, both fully human and fully divine, is the rightful King, restoring God's original plan for humanity to rule alongside Him. As Philippians 2:9-11 states, "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." This includes the knees of unseen powers!

The Kingdom Mission: What God Really Wants

With this broader understanding, the "Gospel" itself expands. It is not solely about securing individual tickets to heaven; it is about the inauguration of God's Kingdom on earth. Jesus did not just preach about individual salvation; he announced the arrival of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:15). Human beings are active participants in the divine plan.

·       Our Role as Co-Regents: TheScriptures emphasize that believers are called to take part in this ongoing kingdom mission. We are not just saved from something; we are saved for something: to be God's agents on earth, bringing His will, His justice, and His light into a world still under the sway of spiritual darkness. We are heirs with Christ, called to co-reign with Him (Romans 8:17).

·       Renewing All Creation: The ultimate goal is not just a few billion saved souls over the course of human history, but the restoration of all creation. As Romans 8:19-21 eloquently puts it: "For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God... because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God."

Why This Matters

Understanding this larger narrative does not diminish the cross; it magnifies it. It shows us that God's plan is far more intricate, more cosmic, and more glorious than we often imagine.

It reminds us that:

·       Our salvation is part of a grander story of cosmic redemption.

·       We are enlisted in an ongoing spiritual battle, equipped by Christ's victory.

·       God's desire is for His Kingdom to be fully manifest on earth, and we are His instruments.

So, while we rightly cherish the cross as the symbol of our personal salvation, let us also embrace it as the declaration of victory in a cosmic war and the foundation of God's unfolding Kingdom. It should not be a distraction, nor a warm and fussy feeling, nor a mere symbol that simplifies God’s sovereign plan to two pieces of wood that saves sinners, instead a powerful gateway to understanding what God truly wants: to reclaim His family, His authority, and His creation, with us by His side.

What are your thoughts on this expansive view of Jesus's mission? Share in the comments below!