The message of the Cross forms the foundation of our Christian Culture. Yet within this message we find an enigma, as the Cross represents both Death and Life.
We see this enigma illustrated in the constellation of the Southern Cross.
The Enigma
The Cross represents both Death and Life… how can this be?
We recognise that our Saviour died on the cross to cover our sins… yet He also arose in Life.
By coming under His blood covering we know that our sins are forgiven, we are ‘saved’. Yet under this covering we also come into possession of His Life, a New Beginning… a Life that Death and Darkness has no power over… The Glory of God.
When we ‘become’ a Christian we ‘lay down/die’ to ‘our own life’ so that we can be infused with His Life… This truth is wonderfully captured in one of my favourite Scripture verses:
For the message of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18
How the Enigma is illustrated in the Southern Cross
As I was observing the Southern Cross I was blown away with not only its beauty, but also the realisation that it really does witness to the Biblical Truth that the Cross represents both Death and Life… as within the Southern Cross we find the most striking pair of opposites:
- The Coal Sack – one of the largest and densest dark nebulae in the sky.
- The Jewel Box – one of the finest open clusters in the heavens.
The Coal Sack illustrates to me the Darkness and Death that our Lord and Saviour, Yahshua, came to overcome (1 Corinthians 15:54,57).
The Jewel Box illustrates to me the Glory which will be revealed in us, His Life (Romans 8:18).
Both are visible to the naked eye – so all can see this glorious message of the Cross.
However, as I delved deeper into the Jewel Box with the aid of my binoculars, I was able to contemplate on some further observations:
- The Jewel Box takes the form of the letter ‘A’ – the first letter of the (Hebrew) alphabet. The cross represents the ‘Taw’ – the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet. So here we see Yahshua represented as the Alpha (Jewel Box) and the Omega (the Cross)… Revelation 22:13.
- The reddish-looking star, in the centre of the Jewel Box, witnesses to us that it is by His Blood that we too can come into possession of this New Beginning – His Life and Light – as His Glorious Jewels…
And the Lord their God shall save them in that day as the flock of His people: for they shall be as the jewels of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land.
Zechariah 9:16
