CROSS-Culture
Palm Sunday 2009 – Communion Sunday
I grew up in a fairly sheltered environment. Other than books at school I remember little, if any, interaction with anyone of another culture.
My first encounter with a different culture was a kid I met at school. I don’t remember his name, but his parents were migrant farm workers traveling through Bakersfield. He looked different, sounded different, and for this sheltered little white kid, was different enough to be cool. (I don’t think we even used that term back then.)
I remember the day he and I were walking down the road and some bigger kids came along and started giving us some trouble. My friend, who was about six inches shorted than me (and I wasn’t that tall) and about 30 pounds lighter (and I wasn’t that big), my friend reached down to the side of the road and picked up an empty beer bottle. He held the neck of the bottle in his hand, then reached down, whacked it so that it broke with the sharp neck still in his hands. Then he looked at the big bullies and said something like, “Ok, who’s first?”
The little terrorists ran away; my friend tossed the broken bottle and just started walking again. I remember thinking…”WOW!” Not much more, just “WOW!”. That kid was from a different world than I was, a different culture, and I was glad at that moment that he was on my side!
I’m sure there were more, but the next experience with “culture” came in college. I attended a small Bible college filled with a bunch of white kids. The first summer there I traveled in a singing group and we crossed the border into Canada to sing at a church. These folks were as white as we were. Side by side, we looked the same; we all spoke English, but they were really different! They used their words differently. Their food was different. Their pace of life was much slower than ours. They were foreigners! Wait, we were the foreigners, I guess. For all that we had in common, it was a very different culture.
Before we moved here to start ChurchForFamily, we lived in a small town of about 5,000 people surrounded by mountains and winding two-lane highways. It was a hour-and-a-half to the closest Starbucks if that tells you anything. We moved there from the Napa Valley. Napa was the fancy wine-country. It was cool and hip to live in Napa. We attended a big, beautiful church. I worked at a Naval Shipyard with over 10,000 people employed. Moving to such a place was like stepping into a twenty-year time warp. I felt like I had moved to “Mayberry”; I didn’t know if I was Andy or Barney Phife! I loved living there, but talk about a culture shock!
I bet you’ve experienced culture shock as well!
Ever gone to a new ethnic restaurant and ordered something? Terrie ordered “sweet-breads” one time at a French restaurant. It wasn’t bread! Culture shock!
Those of us who are married…culture shock! Right? I mean, no matter how well we thought we knew our spouse and their family - they talk different, their humor is different, cooking is different - culture shock!
I had to learn to adapt - we had to learn to adapt to a different culture. Cross-culture.
There’s a whole industry built around different cultures - everything is “cross-cultural”.
I did a search at Barnes and Noble and found 3,708 books on cross-culture. I did the same at Amazon and came up with 5, 281 books. And if you Google “cross-culture” you will end up with over 32 million sites! People get advanced degrees in cross-cultural studies. It’s big business.
All those books and all those sites - it cross culture comes down to this…ready:
“The key to effective cross-cultural communication is: KNOWLEDGE. How do you learn about another culture? Hang around it. The more you are exposed the the culture, the more you get it.
That little tidbit of information, knowledge, held true 2000 years ago as Jesus headed to the cross.
Jesus was CROSS cultural. The whole purpose of Jesus’ life was to bring about an entirely different culture - a heavenly culture. A genuine God focused culture. And the way He was going to bring about that culture was through what He did at the cross. Jesus was definitely Cross-Cultural.
And by hanging around Jesus, His culture transferred to those around Him. They picked up the CROSS-culture as well.
There is a brief passage found in the Gospel of John, right near the end, that talks about a few people who were effected by the CROSS-cultural.
“Standing bear the cross were ‘Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas) and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Woman, he is your son,” And he said to this disciple, “She is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.” (John 19:25-27)
There were at least four Cross-cultural people standing around the cross that day. This morning before we focus on communion - another example of CROSS-culture - I want to share the story of three of the men that were effected by Jesus’ cross.
It’s not that the women weren’t important; their stories alone could fill a few more talks like this one. However, it’s the men who were changed by the cross that stand out for me this morning.
Each was exposed to Jesus’ cross culture - and it affected each of them in a very powerful, CROSS-cultural way.
The first person who was really effected by the cross of Jesus - isn’t actually mentioned “at the cross”, he’s only mentioned on the way to Calvary. Look at Mark’s account in chapter fifteen.
“And when they were finally tired of mocking him [Jesus], they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they lead him away to be crucified. A man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from the country just then, and the forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. (Simon is the father of Alexander and Rufus.) And they brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha [Calvary] (which means Skull Hill).” Mark 15:20-22
Simon the Cyrene - The forced Cross-Bearer
By his country we know that Simon was from North Africa. There were many Jews living in North Africa during the time Jesus was on Earth. Simon could have been a Jewish national or a converted Jew attending the feast of Passover like thousands of others who had come from around Israel for the celebrations. Chances are Simon had no idea who Jesus was - let alone, what was going on the day he happened to head into Jerusalem from the countryside. All Simon knew was that one minute he was walking along minding his own business and the next moment he was being forced by Roman soldiers to pick up a heavy cross beam that some mangled so-called-criminal had dropped.
How was Simon to know that the criminal had committed no crime? How was he to know that that the beaten man laying on the pavement was Jesus Christ. All Simon knew was that he was being forced to carry a cross. He had been forced into a situation through no fault of his own. He had no idea.
Imagine what that must have been like. Carrying a cross, trying to figure out who and what was going on. Forced to walk out of the city, through a valley, to the place called Calvary - with two other criminals carrying their crosses, a regiment of Roman soldiers and a mob of Jews crying “crucify him! Crucify him!”
What could have been going on in Simon’s mind?
Once Simon arrived at Calvary he was finally allowed to drop the heavy beam onto the ground. But no sooner had he dropped the cross, then the soldiers ripped the beaten man’s clothes from his body and began to nail that man to the beam. Simon had carried the death weapon for an innocent man.
My assumption is that Simon didn’t leave. I think he stayed around and watched closely what happened next.
Jesus was nailed to the cross, then the cross was dropped into the ground and Jesus hung their for six long hours. I believe Simon was there when Jesus cried out “Father, forgive them for they don’t know what they’re doing!” When Jesus cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” When he turned to the criminal hanging on one of the other crosses and said, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
And Simon was probably there when Jesus cried out, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” and “It is finished!”
Simon probably saw it all - up close. And the culture of the cross changed his life. How do I know? Because Simon accepted Christ. Mark chapter fifteen makes an interesting side note:
“A man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from the country just then, and the forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. (Simon is the father of Alexander and Rufus.)”
Remember that name because if you go back to Romans 16:13, it comes up again…
“Greet Rufus, whom the Lord picked out to be his very own;” (Romans 16:13)
Could that be the same Rufus that’s mentioned in Mark chapter fifteen. Mark was writing to a Roman audience - Rufus was part of the church in Rome. His father, Simon, got had a first-hand Cross-culture experience - and Rufus was the beneficiary of his father’s knowledge. Isn’t it cool the way it says, “who the Lord picked out to be his very own”.
Here’s the point:
Simon was just a guy who was forced into a situation that was far beyond his control - and yet God was in control. If Rufus was his son. God used Simon’s forced situation to bring about the best situation for both father and son - and the rest of us!
Cross-culture means first and foremost - God is in control.
Jesus was not forced to die on that cross. Calvary did not take Jesus by surprise. Jesus came to earth to die. Calvary and the cross were God’s plan all along. Jesus never lost control. Simon may have been forced, but Jesus gave his life freely.
When you begin to experience the Cross-culture you soon realize God is in control - of everything. What may seem forced, what may seen bad or worse - God never looses control.
CROSS-Culture Story #1 - Simon - From Forced Circumstances to Freedom in Christ
CROSS-Culture Story #2…
John the Apostle Changed by God’s Love
If you were to step back a couple of chapters in the Gospels to the night Jesus was betrayed and handed over to the Romans, you would find all but one of the disciples with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. It was in that garden that Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss and all of the other disciples ran away out of fear. Eventually though, two disciples came back - John and Peter. John followed somewhat closely behind Jesus, Peter held back. But by morning Peter was nowhere to be found and John was standing at the foot of the cross with Mary, Mary and Salome.
It’s at the foot of the cross that Jesus speaks to Mary, his mother and John, his dearest earthly friend. “Woman, he is your son.” “She is your mother.”
You see for Jesus and John - it was all about relationship. What a difference from their first meeting three and a half years earlier.
John had been a hot-tempered fishermen along the shore of the Sea of Galilee. He, along with his brother, where known as the Sons of Thunder. John was rough and tough - but he was also a dedicated Jew. He grew up in a Jewish home and was trained by a Jewish father and mother. At the age of three Jewish boys were taught the LAW. They began with the book of Leviticus. I’m almost fifty and I have a tough time with Leviticus. When they finally got to school they would spend 1/3rd of their day studying the Old Testament Law - the other 2/3rds would be spend focusing on the Misnah and the Torah - both explaining with more details and rules how they should obey the Law. If they did well in grammar school - they would go on to study as Scribes and Pharasees - experts in the Law - otherwise, they ended up in trade school. John had been a trade school graduate, but still living under the attitude that God would only honor him if he did everything just right.
For John, the fisherman, life was all about ritual. He fished the same way and worshiped God the same way. He learned all the right things to do and they probably all became habit. Sunday through Friday - catch fish. Saturday, go to Synagogue. Sunday - fish, Monday-fish, Tuesday-fish, Wednesday-fish, Thursday-fish, Friday-fish, Saturday-Synagogue. Rituals - following the laws, the rules and regulations he had been taught. It’s not that any of those things were wrong, they were just habits - ritual.
Imagine how it must have been when Jesus came along as simply said, “Follow me.” Imagine how freeing it must have been for John to realize that it wasn’t about what he (John) did, but that God loved him no matter what! Imagine what having a REAL connection with the Son of God, Jesus, must have been like. Not just religion, but relationship! It had such an impact on his life that John called himself “the disciple that Jesus loved”.
It’s not that Jesus didn’t love the other disciples - it’s not that he loved John more and them less - it’s just that John really felt Jesus’ love. Even when he failed and ran away the night Judas betrayed Jesus - John was drawn back to Jesus’ love. It was that love that kept John close to Jesus and close to the cross. It was that love that allowed John to take Mary, Jesus’ mother, into his home and treat her as his own.
CROSS-culture for John meant God’s love. John is the one who wrote: “For God so loved them world…”
The CROSS-Culture - God is in control of every situation, Your God’s plans for you are just beginning, and Your God, He loves you! And He’s not just a God “up there” with a long list of things you have to do to please Him, Jesus wants to be REAL to you - that’s why He came to this earth in human form. So we could understand how REAL He is and how REAL His love is in our lives.
John - Rough & Tough - Changed by God’s love.
CROSS-Culture Story #3:
Nicodemus - From Cautious-Follower to Sacrificial-Proclaimer
The final man mentioned at the crucifixion who was effected by the CROSS-culture was actually part of a pair.
John 19 ends with this account…
“Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take Jesus’ body down.” (John 19:38)
Stop there for a moment. We’re not going to focus on Joseph here, but just one thought. You can’t stay a secret follower of Jesus. You may try to minimize the effect that Jesus has on your life, limit his influence. You may even try to hide the fact that you are a Christ-follower, but there will come a moment when it’s put up or shut up. There will come a moment when you can’t hide any more. Coming into contact with the CROSS-culture will bring you out of hiding. But it’s not Josephy of Arimathea that we want to look at - it’s his friend…
“When Pilate gave him permission, he came and took the body away. Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night, also came, bringing about seventy-five pounds of embalming ointment made from myrrh and aloes. Together, they wrapped Jesus’ body in a long linen cloth with the spices, as is the Jewish custom of burial. The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. And so, because it was the day of preparation before the Passover, and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.” (John 19:39-42)
It’s Nicodemus who was the last man effected by the CROSS-culture that Friday afternoon. Nicodemus, maybe you remember the name from that famous verse: “For God so loved the world that he gave…” (John 3:16) It was during a midnight visit to Jesus - under cover of darkness - that Nicodemus approached Jesus for the first time.
Nicodemus was a well know religious leader. He was a Pharisee, probably a member of the Sanhedrin, the Supreme Court of Israel. Nicodemus had heard and seen Jesus’ miracles. He was convinced that Jesus was a teacher sent by God and he wanted to know more:
“Teacher,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are proof enough that God is with you.” (John 3:2)
That all sounds well and good, except that Nicodemus was a Pharisee and religious leader. He and his buddies were fighting against what Jesus was doing and saying. They were threatened by Jesus’ words. They knew in their hearts that there was something to what Jesus said. There was proof in Jesus’ miracles. But there was one big problem. Nicodemus and his fellowship religious leaders - were just that! Religious. For the Sanhedrin, for the Pharisees, everything was about religion. They governed through their religion. I’m not talking about the Bible, I’m talking about religion.
These guys had it down pat. They had taken God’s Word and shaped it into something God never intended. Almost everything they did was for show. They prayed for show. They gave their tithes for show. They walked around in religious clothing. They talked religious talk. They had it down perfectly - except that none of it was what God commanded. They acted perfect on the outside - but inside their hearts, they were empty, it was all fake.
That’s why after Nicodemus talked about Jesus being sent from God - Jesus got right to the point:
Jesus replied, “I assure you, unless you are born again, you can never see the Kingdom of God…The truth is, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and of the Spirit…” (3:3,5)
Jesus got right to the point. Nicodemus knew his Bible inside and out. He knew all of the words, all the actions - but none of it had changed his heart yet. Jesus was taking Nicodemus back to the Bible. Listen to God’s promise from Ezekiel chapter thirty-six:
“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so you will obey my laws and do whatever I commanded. And you will live in Israel, the land I gave your ancestors long ago. You will be my people, and I will be your God.” (Ezekiel 36:26-28)
Jesus told Nicodemus that he needed heart cleansing, not just outward religion, but real inside forgiveness. Not only that, but it wasn’t about following religious rules - it was about relationship - relationship between God and his people.
Not religion, instead, relationship.
We’re not told how Nicodemus responded that night. The passage just ends in a few verses, after Jesus talks.
The next time we hear from Nicodemus, he’s back with his buddies in the Sanhedrin. The Pharisees had sent Temple guards to arrest Jesus. The guards returned saying, “We never heard anyone talk like Jesus talked…” (7:46). The Pharisees rebuked the guards.
“Is there a single one of us rulers or Pharisees who believes [Jesus]? These ignorant crowds do,, but what do they know about it. A curse on them anyway!” (7:48-49)
That’s when Nicodemus could hold it no longer and he speaks up.
“Nicodemus, the leader who had met with Jesus earlier spoke up. “Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?” he asked. They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too?…”
Nicodemus shut up. Still not sure, still wanting to give Jesus a hearing, but also still afraid to step out and make a commitment.
Time passes. No more words from Nicodemus. Then the cross…Nicodemus came face-to-face with the CROSS-culture and he changed. No longer hiding, no longer afraid, Nicodemus not only steps up with the other hiding, secret disciple, but Nicodemus makes a huge sacrifice - seventy-five pounds of myrrh and aloe - costly ointments that were usually reserved for the richest of the rich. This might have been Nicodemus’ own burial savings. But once you are effected by the CROSS-culture, Jesus matters more than anything.
Nicodemus was no longer shrinking back, he was stepping out. Willing to sacrifice his wealth, his position, his all to proclaim his relationship with Jesus Christ.
Nicodemus had moved from religion to relationship
The point:
CROSS-culture is not about religion, it’s about relationship. We can hide behind religion. We can look good inside religion. Religion allows us to look down at others and avoid looking up at God. Religion lets us convince ourselves that we are good - just like Jesus was a Good Teacher, we get to be good too. But relationship changes all of that. Once we open ourselves to a relationship with Jesus Christ, we realize how much we need Him, his forgiveness, His acceptance, His love, His guidance and we’re willing to sacrifice everything for Him.
The CROSS-Culture moves us from forced to freedom.
The CROSS-Culture moves us from ritual to real.
The CROSS-Culture moves us from religion to relationship.
Three people who experienced the CROSS-Culture. Now this morning you and I are invited to experience the CROSS-culture as well. That is this Communion Table is all about. The elements involved in the Lord’s Supper are all about the CROSS-culture.
Jesus left us this example the night before He was betrayed…
On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body when is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and you, sealed by the shedding of my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Think about that. These small symbols and this act of eating and drinking them - announces the CROSS-culture. Jesus’ death on the cross means something to each of us.
It means we no longer are forced to “be good enough” to earn God’s love and forgiveness. On the cross Jesus paid for our forgiveness and demonstrated His love.
We no longer have to just go through the motions. A relationship with Jesus Christ can be real and living and active.
And we no longer have to think about religion - God Himself, who died for us - shed His blood and broke His body - did it all so we could live in relationship with Him.
This morning you are invited to accept Jesus’ offer of freedom, realness, and relationship…
Closing Prayer & Communion
For more information on Pastor Paul Newell’s materials please visit http://churchforfamily.com. You can subscribe to the ChurchForFamily podcast by seraching for "ChurchForFamily" at the itunes store.
