I was today years old when I learned two things. First, hot crossed buns is incorrect. It is hot cross buns. I’ve always said the nursery rhyme wrong. Hot cross buns! Hot cross buns! One ha’ penny, two ha’ penny, Hot cross buns! Not hot crossed buns. Second, the buns are real, and recipes are available to make these buns. Typically, they are made for what many call today — Good Friday.
Consider the buns. They are essentially nothing more than a yeast roll with fruit like raisins or currants added plus cinnamon, cardamon, allspice, ground clove, nutmeg, and a little orange zest. The next step is the way the name is achieved, and it can be accomplished in several ways. My favorite method is to cut a cross into the top of each bun. As the roll bakes, the cuts open, and a visible cross appears. While the buns are warm, pipe a cross on to the visible cross with icing made with confectioners’ sugar and enough milk to achieve the necessary consistency. Viola! Hot cross buns.1, 2
Today, hot cross buns are being made all across the world in celebration of Good Friday. While I disagree with putting the crucifixion on Friday,3 I completely agree with acknowledging and celebrating the death of Jesus. For many, Good Friday is just a religious celebration, another part of their liturgical observances for the year. But, for those who are redeemed, it’s just the beginning of our salvation story.
Paul told the church of Corinth, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God…(23) But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; (24) But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. (25) Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1 Corinthians 1:18, 23-25)
Why is the cross “foolishness?” First, let’s try to hear that phrase through the ears of a first-century individual. Albert Barnes writes, “The death on the cross was associated with the idea of all that is shameful and dishonorable; and to speak of salvation only by the sufferings and death of a crucified man was fitted to excite in their bosoms only unmingled scorn.” Imagine if we said, “Salvation is available through a person who is strapped in the electric chair or is getting ready to die by lethal injection. They are innocent and their death will pay for the sins of all who believe.”
Yeah, right! But this is how Jesus would have been viewed by the unbeliever. And, nobody has ever come back from the dead three days and three nights later from the electric chair or lethal injection. The people who watched crucifixions had never seen someone crucified who arose from the grave three days later, either. This is a foolish, sentimental dream. However, there is a big difference.
Jesus is GOD and God said, “… Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:19) Jesus’ earthly ministry was to demonstrate not only that He was the anticipated Messiah but that He was God in the flesh. He had also told people that He was going to die and that He would resurrect from the dead. Many chose to believe without seeing. Others, like Thomas, said, “…Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (John 20:25) Jesus told Thomas, “ … because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)
Making some hot cross buns and sharing what Jesus did at Calvary is a great object lesson. We should definitely tell about the death of Jesus. His blood was necessary for the payment of our sins! But if Jesus remained in the tomb, we are fools to follow Him. But here’s the good news – Sunday’s coming!”
1 Corinthians 15:14 says, “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.”
1https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/traditional-hot-cross-buns/
2https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/hot_cross_buns/
3There’s no way you can massage a Resurrection Sunday from a Friday crucifixion when Jesus had to be in the grave three days and three nights. The math just doesn’t add up. Many fundamental Bible pastors/commentators/scholars put the burial on Thursday. A few in this same camp of writers put it on Wednesday, however, there are some logistical problems with that view. I personally believe the Thursday crucifixion and there is plenty of Biblical evidence to back this up.
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