I Corinthians 1:18 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I know it’s a cliché, but it’s true. Our basement flooded a few years ago. Diluted sewage came bubbling up through the drain in the floor and covered the entire basement to a depth of three inches. The carpet was ruined, furniture had to be moved, the smell was less than pleasant. I stood on the stairs with the Roto-Rooter man and looked at the disaster. To me, it was a horrible sight. To him, it was beautiful! He made his living fixing messes like mine and seemed happy as a clam to lug his equipment through the murky water and clear the drain.

Ever looked down an old chimney? It’s a black, ugly mess to the casual observer. To the chimney sweep, it’s a beautiful sight. Ever driven around town after a light snow? Cars are covered with salt and grime. It’s depressing for drivers but a beautiful sight to the carwash owners.

Many images in the Bible that Christians hold dear are beautiful to look at—the rainbow God sent after the flood; the angels singing to the shepherds the night Jesus was born; the empty tomb on Easter morning.

Of all the images that remind us of God’s love, none stands out more than the Christian cross. It’s not that the cross is special in and of itself. It’s special because it’s the place where God sacrificed His Son to save us from our sins.

I remember seeing The Passion of Christ for the first time. The scene where Jesus was whipped by the Roman soldiers was so brutal it was difficult to watch. When the soldiers nailed Jesus to the cross, he was nothing but a beaten, bloodied man waiting to die. For those who don’t know Jesus as their Savior, it’s a horrible sight. To believers, it’s the most beautiful image in the world.

When we’re troubled by our sins, the cross reminds us that somebody else has already been punished for them. When we’re scared about tomorrow, the cross reminds us that our days on earth have already been planned and our future in heaven is a done deal. When we’re thankful for the gifts we’ve been given, it’s the image that directs our gratitude to our heavenly Father.

Ever driven past a car dealership after a hailstorm? It’s a disaster for the owner, but it will put a smile on the faces of dent repair people all over the city. Remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, especially when it comes the Christian cross.

Daniel Madson is a former school teacher and now a member of Abiding Shepherd Lutheran Church in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin.