Cross A cross is more than a necklace pendant, a golden adornment on the Pope's hat or a talisman to ward off Dracula. The cross' popularity has nearly covered over the truth of its origin. Long before people burned crosses in malicious acts of racism, the cross was a symbol of torture, shame and death in the Roman Empire. Yet the cross has become the trademark of a Christian's life and triumph. Why? Without Jesus' death on a cross, Christians cannot inherit God's gift of salvation. The cross points to God's rescue plan of the world. When we think of the cross, we should think of Jesus Christ, who was painfully stretched out and nailed to it. Whose blood was shed, whose side was pierced and whose death paid the price of all sin. We also associate the cross with Christ's call on our life. He asks us to take up our own cross, in denial of ourselves and in commitment to him. Biblically
the cross is mentioned as a metaphor for suffering and hardship. |