The Cross
A tribute for the Lenten season, in remembrance of the events leading up to and including the death of Jesus Christ. Christianity centers around the figure of Jesus Christ, who died at the hands of Romans by being crucified upon a cross. Its symbol represents humanity’s sins that Christ was chosen to bear and die for. It is at the Cross where we start to understand what it really means to follow Christ. It is the Cross that represents the depth of God’s love for us and the wisdom of His plan.
The Physical Symbol: Bible historians say that the cross was made out of a combination of cedar, pine, and cypress trees. Historical data from theologians has determined that the Jesus cross weighed 165 pounds and was 10 to 13 feet high, with a crossbeam 6 1/2 inches wide. The religious symbolism of the cross has its roots in ancient paganism. It became a symbol of Christianity only after the time of Constantine, who was widely regarded as the first “Christian” Roman Emperor (from AD 306 to 337) and who recognized the value of religion in uniting his empire.
Reason for the Easter Celebration: Easter is a celebration of the life and death of Christ – as much as a celebration of the resurrection of Christ. Which holds the greatest significance, the birth or the crucifixion? It’s like Christmas pours the Child out, and then Easter captures the Man, putting him under. He was born to die, not because He was a sinner, but because all of us were sinners. “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:6-8 NLT). “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’” (Galatians 3:13 NIV)
How Did Jesus Get to the Cross? What happened to Jesus doesn’t quite make sense. His life was filled with light, as He went about healing people and teaching about repentance. Yet, God ordained it – “Jesus was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.” (Acts 2:23 NIV) Loving sinners doesn’t make sense either – “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 NIV) “He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.” (Mark 8:31 NIV)
What Does the Cross Mean to You and Me? Before the cross was the law. Men trying to be righteous in their own right (Pharisees) proclaimed the greatness of God in keeping the law – although no one could keep the law so sin grew rampant. satan (small “s” intended) is at the root of sin; his distortions of truth and/or reality are lies that we fall captive to. “Then Jesus made a public spectacle of all the powers and principalities of darkness, stripping away from them every weapon and all their spiritual authority and power to accuse us. And by the power of the cross, Jesus led them around as prisoners in a procession of triumph.” (Colossians 2:15 TPT) The cross represents freedom from the domination of darkness! “Once you were alienated from God … but now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” (Colossians 1:22 NIV) This freedom is a gift already given, but only to those who believe; a reality only through our trust (letting go of our way) in God!
Living Life at the Foot of the Cross: Resurrection Sunday is a wonderful time of celebration and a stark reminder of what our faith is built upon. The road to the cross was one of deep sacrifice – separation from God…right down to blood and pain for Jesus, although the son of God. Our lives will also, at some points, reflect pain and suffering. It is then that we have to rely upon God, and not our own works, to do within us and for us what His word promises. Coming to God with whatever whoever we are, just the way we are – trusting Him with all of our questions of the unknown – “is” following Jesus Christ! “Jesus said to them all: ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.’” (Luke 9:23-24 ESV)
My heart bleeds over the lack in this world, the suffering, wars, and crimes set against the innocent, the wrong sinful actions of people against one another. It’s hard to fathom that Jesus died to save “them” same as He died to save “us.” It’s hard because we tend to separate “sin” into levels, while God sees sin as sin. So, when our attitude lacks kindness, meekness, patience, forgiveness, or giving of self – as in harboring bitterness, resentment, anger, pride, lust or disgust – we are sinning against God. “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:5-8 NIV)
Perhaps we ought to celebrate Resurrection Sunday with a little more gusto! We could not pay for what Jesus did, nor could we ever earn it. We have the ability to live with righteousness, peace, and joy because of the Cross, what a gift! No sin too big or small, Jesus included them all, just for you and me.
Happy Easter, everybody!
Gayle Smith, Author and Certified Christian Life Coach
