A feature seen on early Irish landscapes is the High Cross which dates back to the 9 th century AD. Stone Celtic crosses, as they are frequently called, are dotted over many areas of the island. The oldest one is reckoned to be at Carndonagh, Co Donegal at the top of the Inishowen Peninsula. It is around three metres in height and made of sandstone. The High Cross usually displays early medieval carvings of biblical scenes used to teach a message from the scriptures. As Christianity in Ireland grew from the time of Patrick and over the early centuries, so the High Cross stood as a symbol that Christianity had arrived but also as a boundary mark, particularly for monastic communities of the period. When we turn, at this Easter season, to the crucifixion of Jesus recorded in the Gospel accounts, a cross was not so welcoming. Instead, it suggested an execution in all its painful horror.

A former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, summarizes it in these words:
“We have become so familiar with this image- that we sanitize it. We go to places of worship and we expect to see a cross. When crosses are removed from public places such as crematoria or hospital chapels, we quite reasonably get indignant about it. But in the world into which Christ came a place of worship was the last place you expect to see a cross”

The Gospel writers emphasize Jesus’ death in all its horror and pain. For them, the cross was not something to embrace lightly. Luke in his account of the last moments of Jesus’ crucifixion (ch.23v44f.) tells that at the approach of Jesus’ death, darkness covered the whole land for three hours. This was a significant and sombre moment. Other New Testament accounts remind us of the great mental agony and burden that had been placed on Jesus in his crucifixion. It is recorded that he cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mk.15).

We may well ask what is the meaning behind Jesus’ particular death on a cross with so much symbolism surrounding it? Sometimes we say that Jesus died on the cross to show us God’s love. Yet, while true, the Gospel writers want to say something more- for the crucifixion of Jesus had profound consequences for the world and for people of every generation.

Some years later, after Jesus’ death and resurrection, the Apostle Paul wrote about the ultimate implications of the cross for all who believe in Jesus.

“Christ who knew no sin became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor 5 v21)

In those words, we come to the central meaning of the cross of Christ. For Jesus took our place in His death – going down to the very depths for us that we might not be forsaken by God.

So, this Easter time, when we are surrounded by many symbols of the holiday season, let us re-focus on the cross. While it presents pain and horror, yet it is in this death of Christ that we can find eternal life.

Again, in the words of Paul: “May we never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…” (Gal. 6 v14).