The cross is the principal symbol for the Christian religion. It represents the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, His Passion, and His death. The cross is a sign both of Christ Himself and of the faith of Christians. In New Testament bible times, the cross symbolized a very different thing, a shameful form of execution for criminals. When you place the cross on anything, you are basically stating an identity with Jesus.
Believers of Jesus Christ know the magnitude of what happened on the cross. Jesus didn’t just die on it. The weight of all mankind’s sin was nailed to the cross. Jesus’ blood was shed on the cross. The King of the Jews hung there in agony to save the world, to redeem it, and to bring it near to God. The earth shook and darkness descended on the land. All love and forgiveness emanated from the cross. Sorrow and tears flowed. Burdens of guilt and shame were laid at the foot of the cross. The work Jesus came to earth to do was finished there.
Every single prophecy concerning the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was fulfilled to the minutest detail. For example, He was delivered to Gentiles for judgement, the execution was to be outside of Jerusalem, He would hang on a tree, He would be lifted up from the earth, the Roman soldiers would pierce His hands and feet, they cast lots for his clothing, none of His bones would be broken, and people would hurl insults at Him.
The Old Testament contains over 400 prophecies about the coming Messiah. Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled every one of them. Calculations have been made to figure out what the probability would be of just eight of the prophecies being fulfilled in any one person who had lived up to the present time. The result: 1 in 10 to the 27 power. These odds should turn any reasonably thinking person to believe that Jesus is who He says He is.
The last words spoken by Jesus were on the cross. A person’s final words prior to death generally are taken to have particular significance.
Words of Forgiveness - Luke 23:34: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Words of Salvation - Luke 23:43: “Verily, I say unto you today, thou shalt be with Me in paradise.” Words of Relationship - John 19:26-27: “Woman, behold thy son.” And then He said to John “Son, behold thy mother.” Words of Abandonment - Matt 27:46 and Mark 15:34: “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Words of Distress - John 19:28: “I thirst.” Words of Triumph - John 19:30: “It is finished.” Words of Reunion - Luke 23:46: “Father, into Thy hands I commit My spirit.”
I Cor 1:18 says, “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.” So, the cross has power in its message and power in the Savior who died on it.
Matt 10:38 says “Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Cross-bearing is a willingness to suffer and die for the Lord’s sake. How do you feel about that? Would you be willing to lay down all of your self-focus each day at the feet of the cross and make Jesus the sole object of your life and actions. This is a difficult, scary, and radical message and one that has kept many from being a true follower of Jesus Christ.
But here is some encouragement from Heb 12:2-3, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus…who for the joy set before Him endured the CROSS, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men.” When we look at the cross, remember all He endured in accomplishing our redemption, our salvation, our freedom, “so that we will not grow weary and lose heart.” Our present suffering for the gospel’s sake is nothing compared to the hope of our future glory with Him in heaven.
