The Beauty of God: A Six-Day Series of Reflections to Invite Wonder Sýnishorn

Beauty in the Cross

With a crown of gray hair and fine lines indicating a life well-laughed, my mom radiates beauty. Her beauty goes beyond fashion sense or anti-aging regimen; it stems from her sacrifice. Many a stuffed-animal-posse and movie-paused-bowl-of-popcorn has marched in her arms up and down the stairs of our childhood home. My memory sees her tucking me in, taking my temperature, playing “just one more” round of cards. She utters never a hint of complaint.

The beauty of self-giving love appears time and time again in literature. From A Tale of Two Cities and Les Miserables to Charlotte’s Web and Disney’s Frozen—stories of sacrifice resonate on a universal level. We embrace heroic acts of selflessness. We understand that wrongs require cost for remediation. We long for rescue.

The story of the Cross depicts the ultimate expression of love—a king who voluntarily “gave Himself up” as a fragrant offering (Eph. 5:1–2). In Christ, we see the loving beauty of God, a beauty that lays down self and sacrifices everything. Not superficial but sacrificial. Beauty bears the burdens of others.

We often jump too fast to the vibrant pastels of the resurrection before sitting with the crimson scars of the Cross. The wounds of our Suffering Servant carry our sorrows, bear our sins, and bring us peace. The power of Christ’s scars offer hope as we consider our own woundedness. The companionship of our despised and rejected Savior extends comfort as we suffer. Will you answer His call to lay down your life and, in doing so, reflect the beauty of our Lord who first laid down His own?

An Invitation

Consider the correlation between beauty and sacrifice. How does this understanding of beauty compare to our culture’s ideas around the topic? Give thanks to God for the outpouring of His self-giving love. Spend the next few moments in silence, simply resting in His presence.