The Necessity of the Cross
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“For neither did he make creation itself be silent, but what is most wonderful, even at his death, or rather at the very trophy over death, I mean the cross, all creation confessed that he who was made known and suffered in the body was not simply a human being but Son of God and Savior of all.”
– Athanasius of Alexandria
Athanasius’ On the Incarnation is a foundational Christian text in which he explores why God became human in the person of Jesus Christ. Athanasius was present at the pivotal Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, but most of his life was spent serving the church of Alexandria, Egypt, through the mid-300s. As believers today, we are in debt to pastors and theologians like Athanasius, who not only guarded against early heretical teachings but gave us rich and sound theological writings that endure in our present age. Over the next three weeks, we will continue looking at his work and how it helps us to understand the mystery and joy of Easter.
When you come to understand the agony of the cross and why Rome used it, it becomes clear just how gruesome it truly was. So why was the cross necessary in the plan of redemption? While the incarnation itself signifies God entering human history, the crucifixion is where the redemptive purpose is most clearly fulfilled. According to Athanasius, the cross was not an unfortunate consequence but a deliberate act to address the problem of sin and death.
He begins by emphasizing that sin brought death into the world, both physically and spiritually. Since human beings were created in the image of God, they were initially intended for immortality. Sin, however, corrupted human nature, making death an inevitable consequence. The problem was twofold: humanity was subject to death, and the divine image was marred. To resolve this, God had to intervene directly.
The divine dilemma, as Athanasius describes it, arises from the tension between God’s justice and mercy. God’s justice demands that sin be punished because it is evil, and God has not party with evil. Yet His mercy is rich, and he seeks to save humanity. The cross resolves this tension. By taking on human form, Christ assumes the penalty that humanity deserved. As a sinless man, His death satisfies the requirement of justice, and as God incarnate, His sacrifice has infinite value, making it sufficient for all humankind. Athanasius also highlights the voluntary nature of Christ’s death. The Word made flesh chose to die, demonstrating both His power and His love. By dying on the cross, Christ did not merely succumb to death but conquered it from within. This victory over death is essential, as it transforms the cross from a symbol of defeat to a sign of victory.
The cross also serves as a demonstration of God’s love. Athanasius argues that through the crucifixion, God’s love is made manifest, as He did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for the salvation of the world. This sacrificial love invites believers to understand the depth of God’s commitment to humanity.
“For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.”
– The Apostle Paul: Romans 5:17-19