Would you like to know what is the story of the cross and what it symbolizes for Christians? The cross is undoubtedly the most used religious symbol in the history of humanity.
It is present both in Christianity and in certain occult organizations. Its presence in a place reflects the existence of a temple, a church, a cathedral… It can also be found at the entrance to cemeteries, on the tombs of our disappeared or on the skin of certain people whose beauty it is.
Although its meaning in Christianity refers to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, this symbol was not introduced into Christianity until three centuries after his death.
Let us remember before continuing that the cross was not born with Christianity and even less with the death of Jesus Christ. Other men were crucified before and after Jesus Christ. And even on the mount of Calvary called Golgotha, Mark 15:27, Luke 23:32, John 19:18).
Men could kill Jesus in another way. But why did God choose the cross? Let’s first look at the very origin of this symbol, the meanings assigned to it over time before touching the concern is ours.
The origin of the history of the cross
The history of the cross has its origin in the ancient Babylonians of Chaldea. Chaldea is located south of present-day Baghdad in the diamond formed by the lower part of the Tigris and the Euphrates.
Here you can learn about:
From there, a rapid progression was made to China, India, parts of Africa including Egypt, and other parts of the world before Christianity was born. Originally, the cross is a pagan symbol, so the main shape is a T symbolizing the initial of the god Thammuz, a character from a Babylonian pagan myth. Many meanings have been attributed to this symbol over time:
history of the cross in Europe
In Europe, more precisely, where Italy is located today, centuries before our era, it was already considered a religious symbol and was placed in graves as protection against the spirits of the dead. This practice has spread throughout the world. It is still present today in the four corners of the world.
history of the cross in Egypt
In Egypt, the cross had a different shape than what we know today. This cross is called cross ansée or ANKH where the top was a circle. This made it possible to use it as a jewel. Symbolized eternal life and fertility. That is why he was placed in the tomb of the pharaohs whom the Egyptians of the time considered immortal gods. It is from this cross that many religions derive theirs, namely:
- cabalistic cross
- celtic cross
- druid cross
- Christian cross
- buddhist cross
- Byzantine cross etc.
history of the cross in Rome
Let’s talk about the cross in the Roman Empire, since it was under this regime that Jesus was crucified. It was used as an instrument of torture reserved for the death penalty for slaves, criminals and repression against local revolts. But the crucifixion is not born in the Roman Empire. This method of execution came from the Persians.
You will know its most diabolical meaning among the Romans. Unlike certain peoples for whom it was a protection, among the Persians it was the very symbol of evil and curse among the Romans.
Without a doubt, it is the cruelest means of execution in the history of mankind.. The condemned slowly died of suffocation under the heat, suffering and mockery of the people. At this time there were other methods of execution such as: Stoning, hanging… But why did Jesus, who was holiness itself, choose the cross to die?
Reasons to choose God
Many prophecies have spoken of the virgin birth, holy life, and death of Jesus. But it is surprising to note that none of them talk about his actual crucifixion.
Isaiah 53 He tells us about his death and the consequences that accompany it, however, he tells us about the cross itself. Jesus Christ himself throughout his ministry does not speak of it, even when he speaks of his death to his disciples (Matthew 16:21, Luke 18:31-34, ).
When reading these passages, we see that the Lord Jesus Christ does not specify the means that will be used to kill him.
- Why did Jesus keep his death scene a secret?
- Was it to avoid an indignation like that of the Apostle Peter?
Remember that the devil did not want Jesus to die on the cross because he represented a power. It is difficult to understand that an instrument of torture, and which was originally a pagan symbol, can be a divine power. We will understand it in the following lines.
The story of the cross and sacrifice of Jesus Christ
Jesus had come for the ultimate sacrifice. And each sacrifice requires a lamb and an altar. The greatness of the sacrifice required an exceptional altar. A place where good defies evil. The cross was the only place where this sacrifice could be performed.
Nobody wanted to be there (Revelation 5:4). It symbolized for men evil itself. With this choice, Jesus Christ first wants to make it clear that even the slave and the criminal could have a place in the kingdom of God if they confessed their sins.
That the sin was not so great as to not be forgiven. This is verified on the same day of his crucifixion by the promise made to one of those who were condemned with him (Luke 23:40-43).
So death is what every man fears; and coming back to life can be considered the greatest of miracles. Jesus resurrected quite a few people throughout his ministry. Through the resurrection, he defies death.
This required a public and humiliating death on the cross. And Jesus’ own resurrection testifies to the power he has over death and, therefore, over evil.
The story of the cross in Jesus Christ had a purpose
Ultimately, it was on the cross that everything had to be fulfilled. This is what it tells us Galatians 3:13:”Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us, for it is written: Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.“.
There was a curse on the cross that only Jesus could wash away because he was God. And to do so, he himself had to become a curse by dying on the cross so that the shed blood would wash away the sin of all mankind.
When Jesus died, the earth shook because all the sins of men fell on him. And at that very moment the curse had disappeared making the cross a symbol like any other.
The cross for the Christians that we are symbolizes the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Although spiritually it represented a divine power because it was the altar of the supreme sacrifice, at the death of Jesus it became a symbol among many others.
Consequences of this act of love
It is surprising today to see that a good number of people still find protection in the cross to the point of hanging it in the four corners of their homes or even using it as a jewel.
If this were the case, evil would not exist. Because it would be enough for each of us to put on one. Also, why are most devilish rituals performed in cemeteries where we have a strong presence of the cross?
The cross we carry or admire does not protect us from harm. Protection comes only from who symbolizes it: JESUS CHRIST.
No Christian symbol (we say “Christian” and not “religious”) is effective on a spiritual level; that is, any Christian symbol (cross, rosary, image, wood, gold, diamond, etc.) is null and void.
The reason is simple. God said: “You shall not make for yourself a graven image, any representation of the things that are in the heavens above, that are on the earth below, and that are in the waters under the earth.“. (Deuteronomy 5:8)
Other aspects of the History of the cross
The interest that Christians have for the cross is not archaeological or historical, but Christological. They are concerned with the eternal, cosmic, and soteriological significance of what happened once and for all with the death of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, on the cross.
From a theological point of view, the word “cross” is used as a summary description of the gospel of salvation (Jesus Christ “died for our sins”). The “proclamation of the gospel” is, therefore, “the word of the cross”, “the preaching of Christ crucified” (1 Corinthians 1:17).
The average Christian enjoys a quality of life that no other religion offers, not even one of its most ardent followers. Only Jesus saves because only Jesus is dead and he can offer us what he offers us. No one in the world can match it.
The “mystery“More wonderful is that of the redemptive death of Christ. We will never know the depth of this because what happened came from the heart of Jesus and the Father.
The story of the cross has an impact on human thought in many ways. Some think that Jesus was like a martyr, a rejection. Others see in the agony of Christ the image of a dying world. He certainly represented all of that.
Solidarity with our condition, He brought God into our world and our miseries. We need not ask the question: “Where is God?” ” . We look at the cross and see him there, sharing our heartbreak, shame, and suffering.
The message of the story of the cross
Seven weeks after the crowds demanded His blood, Peter publicly accused Him: “You crucified him, you killed him by the hand of the wicked. Therefore let all the house of Israel know for sure that God made this Jesus, whom you crucified as Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:23, 36).
The effect of his speech was phenomenal because no one expected it. The preaching of the message of the cross brought 3,000 people to repentance: the first names that were inscribed in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
The crucified Jesus Christ has since become the central message of the Gospel for Christians. oha very strange gospel! Religions have always presented their great founders; but the gospel of Christ crucified seems utter madness.
However, Paul said:I have a great desire to share the Gospel with you too, who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel” (Romans 1:15-16).
- He declared to the Roman citizens in Corinth: ” Because I did not think of knowing anything between you other than Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ crucified“. (1 Corinthians 2:2).
- Paul knew that such a message would be a “stumbling block” for the Jews and a “craziness” for everyone else (1 Cor. 1:23), but he preached it anyway.
The world heard him and changed. It seemed impossible that this message could transform a depraved generation, but it did. This message remains “the message“Christ crucified has no competitor.
The death of Jesus in the story of the cross:
Jesus took three disciples with Him up a mountain and something wonderful happened. Jesus was gloriously transfigured and two figures from the past appeared: Moses and Elijah. The disciples were shocked by what they saw and heard them talking to Jesus about his imminent death, which would be an extraordinary event.
It was apparently a divine message. Read: “They talked about his departure that he was going to…