Jerusalem Cross

Today's Cross is the Cross known as the Jerusalem Cross. The Jerusalem Cross is distinctive, consisting of a large cross surrounded by four smaller crosses, so five crosses in all, and in each case the arms of equal length. Sometimes the five are seen as representing the five wounds of Christ. Others see Christ in the centre and the four representing the four Gospels. It is a heraldic cross, so used to link with a paricular location, being recognised as the emblem of the kingdom of Jerusalem from the 1280s. I bought this particular cross while in the Holy Land in December 2011, and it is made of the olive wood so much used in mementoes of the area. 

Today is Good Friday and, as we remember the agony of the crucifixion, I remember being in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem which contains the sites believed to be of both Calvary and the garden tomb. I also remember standing on the edge of the city by the bus station, with some rubbish burning nearby, looking at a hillside which many would suggest was something like the hill outside the city walls would have been in the day - though without buses! It is known as Gordon's Calvary because General Gordon was firmly convinced that this was the real site. It looked like it, unlike an altar in a church. Well, he was right on the last point, but probably not on the geography. From there I went to the a site known as the Garden Tomb. The same could be said of this site in relation to the location - but it was a peaceful place, and certainly reminiscent of a suitable garden. 

So, on this day of abandonment and desolation, when the disciples were in despair, I am reminded of the traditional hymn/song:

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?