Throughout the ages, many have interpreted the life, death and resurrection of Christ in different ways. Christians of all different denominations have their own ideas and speculations, sometimes even drifting from scripture, on how the historical, universe-altering event took place. Isaiah prophesies of Christ's suffering and death in Isaiah 53:7: He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, He did not open His mouth. This verse has been the inspiration for songs and art-- the idea of Jesus Christ as the ultimate martyr-- the passive, meek and mild Lamb of God who died for the sins of all. The popular symbol of Christ on the cross, the crucifix, displays a gentle, minimally wounded, Christ figure. Many cling to the crucifix, however, perhaps many forget to remember that, after willingly being beaten, scourged and brutally murdered, Christ came down from the cross; he defeated death and rose again-- he's alive and a conquering hero. The Anglo-Saxons were a people who inhabited Great Britain from the 5th century; including Germanic tribes who migrated to the island from continental Europe. Anglo-Saxons were soon converted to Christianity, however they maintained many Germanic traditions. Anglo-Saxon culture glorified the warrior-- the hero who willingly battled until the death. After all, this same culture produced the epic poem, Beowulf. Thus, from the Anglo-Saxon culture, emerged The Dream of the Rood, one of the earliest Christian poems in Old English literature. The poem depicts a much different Christ than the Christ who is often depicted in the stained glass and art work of the Roman Catholic Church and many protestant churches. He is rendered as a brave warrior-- a knight who valiantly approaches Calvary, climbs upon the cross and dies for the sins of all-- not because he has to, but because he wants to; he chooses his fate and therefore chooses to save humanity. A portion of the poem, narrated from the perspective of the cross, itself, goes like this:
And then I saw the Lord of all mankind Hasten with eager zeal that He might mount Upon me. I durst not against God's word Bend down or break, when I saw tremble all The surface of the earth. Although I might Have struck down all the foes, yet stood I fast. Then the young hero (who was God almighty) Got ready, resolute and strong in heart. He climbed onto the lofty gallows-tree, Bold in the sight of many watching men, When He intended to redeem mankind. (Translation by Richard Hamer, 1970)
While the poem, in its entirety, isn't biblically accurate, it provides an interesting perspective of Christ, who is portrayed as being “with eager zeal,” “ready,” “resolute,” and “strong in heart.” Christ is portrayed much like Beowulf-- a mighty warrior. Perhaps the Anglo-Saxons were on to something. Christ was indeed whipped, scourged and beaten to a pulp-- He was weakened and was not physically able to “climb the cross” like the Christ figure in Dream of the Rood. However, like the Saxons described, He willingly died for the sins of the world. Isaiah's description of Christ as a “lamb led to the slaughter,” was a symbol for the sacrifice He made for our sins. However, make no mistake, He never lost His almighty authority. In the book of Matthew, when the pharisees have Jesus arrested, Peter lunges to protect Him and cuts off one of the soldiers' ears. But, Jesus reminds Peter that they are not taking Him by force-- He is allowing them to do so and thereby fulfilling God's will: Then Jesus told him, “Put your sword back in its place because all who take up a sword will perish by a sword. Or do you think that I cannot call on My Father, and He will provide Me at once with more than 12 legions of angels? How, then, would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?” Matthew 26:52. At this moment, Jesus makes it very clear that He is mighty enough to call on 12 legions of angels-- no force on Earth could hold the Son of God down if it weren't His will. He truly was and is the conquering hero the Anglo-Saxons described Him as. Jesus willingly allowed soldiers to beat Him, whip Him and tear His flesh. He allowed them to hang Him on the cross and kill Him-- in order save the world. His actions far outshine Beowulf's epic battle with the ferocious monster, Grendel; Hercules’ encounter with the nine-headed Lernean Hydra or any heroic myth, fable or tale to ever be told-- and Jesus' story was, and is, reality. As Good Friday approaches on April 3, many will ponder the death of Christ and, on Easter Sunday, His ressurection. However, how many will acknowledge the event for what it was?-- an epic battle, a triumph, the ultimate defeat of sin and death, the moment when God, in the form of man, sacrificed himself so that everyone might live forever.