Are You Afraid Of The Cross?

a vampire who is afraid of the cross — Image from Canva Pro

Are you afraid of the cross? You may or you may not be, but vampires are! At least, as shown in the movies.

The trend seems to have started with Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the novel (which later became a movie). In these stories, the vampire Dracula was afraid of sacred objects, especially the crucifix.

While the cross had always been seen by Christians as a symbol of Christ’s victory over sin and death, Dracula’s story allowed it to enter mainstream media as well.

Today, however, this popular idea in the movies is waning as more and more vampires are depicted as immune to the power of the cross.

Perhaps filmmakers today merely want to be different. Or maybe they want to avoid any religious themes that may offend some moviegoers.

Ironically, however, this depiction of vampires who are no longer afraid of the cross seems to express a different message for our secular culture.

Today, it is no longer the fictional vampires who are afraid of it; it is the people who can’t bear the sight of it that they want to get rid of it in their lives.

This may be subconscious, but I do believe that this is truly a sign of our society’s fear of the cross.

What could possibly make us afraid of the cross?

1. The influence of religion

People no longer want to be bound by the rules and demands of religion and want a kind of spirituality that can be adjusted for their own needs.

2. The presence of an objective truth

This is an age where truth has become a subjective word that depends on one’s perspective and opinion. It is fearful to think that there is one truth that can be applicable to everyone. It is even more fearful to think that one can be wrong.

On a deeper level, the cross represents many other things that can make us afraid:

1. Sacrificial love

The cross presents to us a picture of what it means to truly love another. It is a love that does not depend on fleeting emotions. It is a love that does not only remain when everything is comfortable.

The cross shows us that love is a love that stays even when times are hard. It is a love consisting not only of flowery words but of solid action, an act that can sacrifice even one’s life for others.

“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” – John 15:13 (NABRE)

2. Humility

Upon the cross is Jesus Christ, the Son of God who came down from heaven to be with us. There, humility is exemplified.

God became flesh and took upon Himself all our weaknesses (except for sin). He took on the most painful sufferings so that we may be healed.

“Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus,
Who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.
Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness;
and found human in appearance,
he humbled himself,
becoming obedient to death,
even death on a cross.”
-Philippians 2:5-8 (NABRE)

3. Transformation

The cross makes us face the truth that before transformation can take place, we need to undergo a time of suffering and sorrow.

It is not an easy thing to grow. Change often implies that we must be willing to take the difficult steps necessary for our transformation.

We need to go through the gloom and anguish of Good Friday before the glorious Sunday of Easter.

“And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” – Romans 5:3-5 (NRSVCE)

From Vampire to Victor

In many ways, we are similar to vampires. The weaknesses of our human nature after the fall have made us vulnerable to sin. As a result, we have a tendency to hurt other people.

Vampires, by their nature, also tend to hurt those around them. In fact, they live only by taking another’s life.

When we look at the cross, however, we see the exact opposite. We see Jesus Christ offering His own life so that we may live.

Instead of fearing the cross, may we look at it with a humble and hopeful heart. Let us look at Jesus who gave Himself for us out of His great love, a love that no one else could possibly give to us.

Let us not remain as vampires afraid of the suffering, transformation and salvation that the cross brings. May we, instead, look up to Christ on the cross and pray for the grace to carry our own, being transformed in love and holiness, and learning how to give of ourselves fully each day.

“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?
For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done.”- Matthew 16:24-27 (NRSVCE)

Below is a song I have composed titled “At the Foot of the Cross.” The lyrics express how I feel whenever I contemplate upon the suffering of Jesus at the cross. I think about how He gave His life for my sake then and still invites me to draw near even today. If you’re tired, lost or empty, I invite you to listen to the song and come pray with me in the presence of the crucified Christ. Come and find your healing through His love.