The Cross and Resurrection together make up the only essential miracle of Jesus. Undoubtedly, the other miracles that Jesus performed are important. Not only are they important but they’re also fascinating. Jesus healed many, casted out demons, turned water to wine, walked on water, calmed a storm, and even brought Lazarus back from the dead (John 11). While these miracles point of the kind of King and God we serve (one with great compassion), none of them bring salvation to the world. In fact, if Jesus had performed none of these, but still suffered, died and rose again, the world would have still gained access to God’s great salvation. On the other hand, if Jesus performed all of these miracles yet did not suffer, die, and rise again, there would be no hope for the world. Once again, the only essential miracle of Jesus is the Cross and Resurrection together.
How does this work? It works this way because the penalty of sin is death and nothing else. It is only when Jesus walks into our suffering and takes it upon himself that the redemptive event becomes effective. Without Jesus entering into the grave human condition of death, there is no Kingdom come on earth as it is on heaven; there is no eternal glory or life with God.
This is same for the church today, both collectively and individually. It is only when the church is prepared to take on the suffering of this broken and hurting world that God’s redemptive power is released. This is (a part) of what Jesus means when he says, “Take up your cross and follow me”.
What I’m talking about is nothing other than compassion. “Compassion” simply means to “suffer with”. The Cross is the greatest example of the compassion of God towards humanity. It is only because of God’s great compassion that sinners are saved and the world is redeemed. Through compassion God’s great net of salvation is cast over the world.
In much the same way, once again, it is through the compassion of the church that the world as we know it will come to know Jesus. It is by the compassion of the church that God’s righteous reign over the creation will be restored.
Just like Jesus, to bring healing, we must become wounded with compassion. Just like Jesus, the church is the wounded healer.
