A Necessary Smelting

The Cross: a reality so repulsive in the first century that it was considered inappropriate for conversation. The suffering and shame that it inflicted was reserved for criminals who were slaves foreigners or other nonpersons. Despite this the cross has endured as the symbol of the Christian faith. Jesus'' death on the cross and his resurrection is the central focus of the Christian faith. As Western Christianity looks upon Christ''s suffering on the cross it has focused mostly on one very important aspect of Christ''s work-the objective aspect that he suffered for us in order to deal with the problem of human sin. While this truth is essential Leonhard Schiemer an early sixteenth century Austrian Anabaptist leader reminds us not to ignore the other aspect-the subjective aspect of the cross working within us destroying sin transforming us into Christ''s image and deepening our love for God. For Schiemer Christ''s cross is also the central focus of the Christian life. As he explains suffering the pain of Christ''s cross inwardly is the key to a life of inexpressible joy.