On the next day, September 14th, the purported section of the cross was brought outside of the church for others to view. Thus began a day of recognizing the cross of Christ in a festal atmosphere that would be inappropriate on Good Friday. The Holy Cross stands as a symbol for all of Christianity and perhaps gained popularity because of what Helena, the mother of Constantine did on September 14th, 335. The Holy Cross stands for three very important things that will be discussed based on the Gospel text for today. The Holy Cross stands as a symbol in judgment on Christ the Son of God and the people. It stands as a symbol of defeat for God in Christ. It stands as a symbol of triumph as a sign of Christ’s victory over death, and a reminder of His promise in verse 32 of our text, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

On this Holy Cross Day, celebrated for centuries in the Christian church, our attention is drawn to that tool of death, that weapon of murder and the symbol of our faith. It’s strange to think that the cross, which for many meant death is worn and adorned as a symbol of life. It’s strange, but not to us. But it is more than a symbol. And that symbol means more for us than the forgiveness of sins. Seeing the “whole” meaning of the Holy Cross is crucial.

First of all, like mentioned before, the Holy Cross is a symbol of judgment on the world. That’s exactly what Jesus says in verse 31 of the Gospel text for today. He says, “Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.” The judgment was the verdict pronounced by our God in light of our sins. That verdict is guilty. The ruler of this world is none other than Satan himself. He rules because we allow him to rule. The devil rules because God’s people find their solace in his ways rather than God’s ways. He rules because the prince of darkness wins over the hearts of the people. He wins us over in times of giving in to temptation. He wins and sufferings persist. He wins when he has convinced you and everyone else that this is God’s fault – that God could stop it if He really cared for you – That God doesn’t even exist because if He did then why is there so much hurt, suffering and pain in the world. The job of the “ruler of the world” (Satan) is to take your eyes of that Holy Cross.

It is a symbol of judgment for the people. But it also is a symbol of judgment that would be placed on the shoulders of the only one who could bear the load. Death is what we deserve because we listen and at times follow the ways of the world’s prince. I hope when you look at that Holy Cross you see and understand why it’s there. It’s there because our sins put it there. It exists because of what we are and what we have done. That Holy Cross, judges the world.

But that’s not all it does – and this sounds very much like God’s judgment. It also shows us God’s own defeat. Our Lord Jesus took on “defeat” when He faced the cross. Just think, at that very moment our Lord lost – and consequently the devil thought that he had victory in hand. The Lord lost it all on the cross. The Holy Cross is a place of great defeat. Our Lord lost His life, plus our Lord lost every single one of our sins that He placed on His shoulders. Our Lord’s defeat at the hands of the people translated into our life in the hands of the Lord.

And that’s the third part – the triumph of Christ in defeat. Life and death were a part of God’s bigger plan. Defeat and then victory are a part of God’s greater good for you. The defeat of our Lord – His death on the cross was only temporary. The defeat of our Lord was never really defeat at all. Sometimes some things aren’t what they seem. So call it what you will. It’s an instrument of death – or a symbol for life. Both are correct. It’s a sign of judgment on us – or it’s a sign that God holds nothing back when it comes to our forgiveness of sins. Both are correct. It’s defeat and it’s victory. Both are correct. You see, it’s the devil’s defeat and it’s the Lord’s victory. No wonder we want to “life High the Cross” in our song and in our worship. No wonder the Holy Cross has remained a symbol of faith and strength for today and into eternity and not a symbol of punishment and horror. The cross is just like lives today. When defeat seems to consume us in death, our Lord pulls us out of death and brings us back to life.

“Jesus said, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’” In Judgment the cross is raised. In defeat the cross is raised. In triumph and resurrection the Holy Cross is raised. A voice from heaven was heard by those who stood around Jesus that day. The voice testified to the fact that Jesus’ work on the cross would glorify the name of the Father in heaven once again. It would look like defeat – especially to all the people who see all the suffering and death. But the work on the cross would be victory. It is death that sees defeat.

Today we still have the cross and today, even when we don’t have a cross to look at, or a cross on our person, we have the cross through the sign of the cross made on our bodies.

Some people think that making the sign of the cross is for Roman Catholics and not for Lutherans. The sign of the cross is for anyone and everyone. For us Christians it’s a reminder of our Baptism, the same cross that was made on our foreheads and on our hearts before water was placed on our heads to wash us clean. The sign of the cross does not only call us to mind of something that happened for many of us a long time ago but also is a reminder of what our Lord gives to us each day. There is meaning behind the sign of the cross. When we touch our heads and come down to our chest we are reminded that Jesus came down from heaven for us and to us. When we touch our right shoulder we are called to mind that Jesus was crucified for me as it was on that shoulder He carried that heavy cross for us to Calvary. Then we touch our left shoulder to remember that Jesus entered into my heart. There is meaning and remembrance when making the sign of the cross. But that’s not the only meaning.

One preacher said, if you were telling someone how to make the sign of the cross, you might say, “Draw an ‘I’ and then cross it out.” As we make the sign, we first draw a vertical stroke, as if to say to God, “Lord, here am I.” Then we cancel it with a horizontal stroke, as if to say, “Help me, Lord, to abandon my self-centeredness and self-will; make Yourself the center of my life instead. Fix all my attention and all my desire on You, Lord, that I may forget myself, cancel myself, abandon myself completely to Your love and service.”

What is the significance of the sign of the cross? In the first place, we often place our initials or other personal mark on something to show that it belongs to us. The cross is the personal mark of Our Lord Jesus Christ, often traced upon our foreheads and hearts at our baptisms. He has personally marked you with His cross, that is, defeat of sin and triumph of life.

Jesus said, “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself.” Our Savior draws us in through what He gives. The gifts that are given our Lord, the forgiveness of sins and life everlasting, are precious and all consuming. They are gifts for you that draw us closer to our Lord who desires to draw us even closer to Himself. He draws you to Himself through the cross. A symbol of our faith. A statement of our life. Judgment and defeat? Yes but more. Triumph and life? Absolutely! And that’s all we need. Amen.

The peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus Amen.