The Cross: The Centrality of Simplicity and Purity in Worship

The Cross: The Centrality of Simplicity and Purity in Worship
The Unadorned Altar of Worship
God’s instructions to the Israelites regarding the altar they were to build teach us profound lessons about the purity and simplicity of worship. In Exodus 20:24-25, God says, “An altar of earth you shall make for Me. . . . And if you make Me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stone; for if you use your tool on it, you have profaned it.” These instructions emphasize that anything altered or added by human hands would defile the altar. Similarly, in Deuteronomy 16:21, the Lord commanded, “You shall not plant for yourself any tree, as a wooden image, near the altar which you build for yourself to the Lord your God.” This signifies that nothing should distract from the centrality of the altar.
These lessons point us to the cross of Christ, which stands as the ultimate altar of sacrifice. Just as the Israelites were to keep their altars unadorned and free from distraction, we are called to preserve the purity and simplicity of the cross. We must not surround the cross with anything that detracts from its power, meaning, or purpose. The cross is stark and uncompromising, just as the crucifixion of Jesus was a stark and horrific event. It is in this simplicity that its profound message is revealed.
1. The Starkness of the Cross
The crucifixion of Jesus was a brutal and humiliating event, yet it was central to God’s plan for redemption. Isaiah 53:3 prophesied of the Messiah, “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.” The cross is a reminder of the price Jesus paid for our sins—a scene of suffering, sacrifice, and love. Adding anything to the cross diminishes its stark and powerful message.
In the simplicity of the cross, we find the profound depth of God’s love. John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” The starkness of the cross magnifies this love, emphasizing that salvation is not achieved by human effort but by God’s grace alone.
2. The Danger of Human Additions
God’s command to the Israelites to build unhewn altars serves as a warning against human interference in divine matters. When we attempt to embellish the cross with human ideas, traditions, or symbols, we risk obscuring its true meaning. 1 Corinthians 1:17 says, “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” Paul understood that human wisdom and creativity, no matter how well-intentioned, could dilute the power of the cross.
The simplicity of the altar—and by extension, the cross—reminds us that salvation is a work of God, not of man. Ephesians 2:8-9 declares, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Any attempt to add to the cross undermines the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice.
3. The Cross and Modern Idolatry
In Deuteronomy, God warned against planting trees near the altar to prevent the Israelites from incorporating pagan practices into their worship. Today, we face similar temptations to mix worldly elements with our worship. This can take the form of prioritizing human traditions, aesthetics, or even personal preferences over the message of the gospel.
Modern idolatry often manifests subtly. It may be an overemphasis on rituals, church buildings, or programs that detract from the central message of the cross. Colossians 2:8 warns, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” Our focus must remain fixed on Christ and His finished work.
4. The Simplicity of the Gospel
The gospel message is beautifully simple: Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). This simplicity is what makes the gospel accessible to all, regardless of background, education, or status. When we surround the cross with unnecessary complexities, we risk alienating those who need to hear its message.
Jesus Himself emphasized the importance of childlike faith. In Matthew 18:3, He said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” The simplicity of the gospel allows even a child to understand and receive it. We must resist the urge to complicate what God has made clear.
5. The Cross: A Symbol of Total Dependence on God
The unadorned altar symbolizes complete reliance on God’s provision and grace. Similarly, the cross represents our total dependence on Christ for salvation. Galatians 6:14 says, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Our only boast is in what Christ accomplished on the cross.
When we try to earn God’s favor through our works or merit, we nullify the grace of God. Galatians 2:21 states, “I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” The cross stands as a constant reminder that salvation is a gift, not a reward.
6. Removing Distractions from Worship
Just as the Israelites were commanded not to place any objects around the altar, we must remove distractions that hinder our worship of God. In today’s world, distractions come in many forms: materialism, entertainment, busyness, and even our own ambitions. These things can crowd our hearts and obscure our view of the cross.
Hebrews 12:1-2 encourages us, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” To fix our eyes on Jesus, we must remove anything that competes for our attention.
7. Embracing the Crudeness of the Cross
The cross is not meant to be aesthetically pleasing or comfortable. It represents suffering, sacrifice, and the weight of humanity’s sin. Yet, it is through this crude and stark symbol that God accomplished His greatest work. 1 Peter 2:24 says, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”
In embracing the crudeness of the cross, we come face to face with the depth of God’s love for us. The cross strips away our pride, self-sufficiency, and illusions of control, leaving us humbled and grateful. Romans 5:8 proclaims, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
8. The Cross as Our Anchor
The cross is the anchor of our faith, holding us steady in the storms of life. It reminds us that no matter what we face, God’s love and grace are sufficient. Hebrews 6:19 describes this hope as “an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” The simplicity of the cross provides clarity and stability, cutting through the noise and chaos of the world.
When life becomes overwhelming, we can look to the cross and find peace. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Returning to the Simplicity of the Cross
The cross stands as a stark, unadorned reminder of God’s ultimate sacrifice and love for humanity. Just as God instructed the Israelites to build simple altars, free from human embellishments, we are called to preserve the purity and simplicity of the cross. Let us resist the temptation to surround it with distractions, traditions, or human ingenuity that obscure its message.
By embracing the cross in its simplicity, we find the power, grace, and love of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 declares, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” May we always keep the cross central in our worship and lives, allowing its stark simplicity to transform us and draw us closer to our Savior. Amen.

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