In the first century, the cross was an instrument of dishonor and justice —according to human standards—, but thanks to Christ the cross means for us honor and divine grace that redounds in our salvation and the restoration of our relationship with God. Reflect on these biblical verses in light of the gospel.
“You know that within two days the Passover is celebrated, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified” (Matthew 26:2)
“Pilate said to them: ‘What then shall I do with Jesus, who is called the Christ?’ ‘Be crucified!’ they all said” (Matthew 27:22)
“And having crucified Jesus, they divided His garments by casting lots” (Matthew 27:35)
“Pilate, wanting to please the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and after having Jesus scourged, he handed him over to be crucified” (Mark 15:15).
“Saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again” (Luke 24:7)
“Then many Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin and in Greek” (John 19:20)
“We know this, that our old man was crucified with Christ, so that our body of sin might be destroyed, so that we are no longer slaves to sin” (Romans 6:6).
“Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were they baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Corinthians 1:13)
“But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews, and folly to the Gentiles” (1 Corinthians 1:23).
“For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).
“For indeed He was crucified out of weakness, but He lives by the power of God. So we too are weak in him, yet we will live with him by the power of God toward you” (2 Corinthians 13:4).
“I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life For now I live in the flesh, I live it by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
“Oh, foolish Galatians! Who has fascinated you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly presented as crucified? (Galatians 3:1)
“For those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:24)
“But never let it come to pass that I glory, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified for me and I for the world” (Galatians 6:14).