只是問一下 (20)：十字架上有耶穌像就是褻瀆？

我自小在天主教學校讀書。
因此，當我看到十字架上的耶穌像，或所謂「偶像」，肋旁滴血，頭戴荊棘冠，根本不當一回事。

不過，當我經由新教找到耶穌之後，看法也隨之改變。

這是個 180 度的改變。

我討厭任何教會建築物內的圖像和雕像。
無須搜集任何聖經的論證，傳聞說，當龐貝進入以色列聖殿的至聖所時，曾揚言他在那裡看不到上帝。
大概是要挖苦聖殿的主人不在聖殿之內！

不過，這卻是個好的論點。
任何圖像和雕像都是挑戰十誡。
沒有任何相信聖經的新教徒會這樣崇拜偶像。
只有天主教徒會這樣做。

況且，福音書豈不是已經宣告「祂已經復活」和「祂不在這裡」嗎？

一個沒有人掛在上面的簡單十字架，就是教會建築物內最忠實地重述聖經的設計。
類似空墳墓。

沒有天使。
沒有馬利亞。
沒有釘在十字架上的耶穌。

得勝神學的實踐。

然後，一個晚上，我半夜醒來，努力想祈禱。
就在那一刻，上帝的憐憫是如此靠近。
天主堂內那個十字架上的耶穌像浮上腦海。

這不是將耶穌重釘十字架。
而是更像重現十字架上的耶穌說：「父啊，赦免他們；因為他們所做的，他們不曉得。」

這就是耶穌如何對待我們這班罪人。
祂滿有恩典和憐憫。
最重要的是，祂明白。

凝望著十字架上的耶穌，不再感到冒犯，因為正是這位耶穌滿有憐憫，祂總是寬恕，總是為我們得寬恕祈求。

我不是背棄我的新教根源，甚至神學。
我只是問一下。

Just asking (20): Is having a Jesus on the Cross such a blasphemy?

I was raised throughout in Catholic schools.
So it was no big deal to see a “statue” or so-called “idol” of crucified Jesus on the cross, blood dripping from ribs and thorny crowns gripping into the forehead.

That changed when I found Christ through Protestants.

The journey took a one eighty degrees.

I detested any image, any statue in church buildings.
Not to labor in any Bible arguments, legend had it that when Pompeii went into the Holy of Holies in the Israelite temple, he remarked that he didn’t see God there.
Presumably it was meant as a sarcasm angling at the resident being missing in the residence!

But it was a good argument.
Any image and statue would be flaunting the Ten Commandments.
No Bible believing Protestants would do such an idolatry acts.
Only Catholics do.

Besides, hasn’t the Gospel proclaimed that “He’s risen” and “He’s not here”?

A simple cross with no one on it is the most biblical retelling piece of architecture in a church building.
Akin to empty grave.

No angels.
No Mary.
No crucified Jesus.

Triumphant theology in praxis.

Then one night I woke up and I tried to pray in my mind.
The mercy of God appeared the closest at that moment.
And I recalled the Catholic crucified Jesus on the cross in churches.

It wasn’t so much of a re-crucifixion of Jesus.
It was more like a reenactment of Jesus saying “Forgive them Father for they don’t know what they are doing”.

That is what Jesus has been treating all those of us sinners.
He is full of grace and mercy.
And above all, understanding.

It’s no longer offensive to look at a cross with a crucified Jesus on it, for it is that Jesus who always forgives, and always praying for our forgiveness.

I am not reneging on my Protestant root, even theology.
I’m just asking.