The Cross

The Cross of Jesus Christ is the centerpiece of Christianity. The Cross reminds Christians of Jesus’ victory over sin and death, since it is believed that through His death and resurrection on the Cross, Jesus conquered death itself – the Cross means God has power over death. The Cross wasn’t a disastrous end for Jesus; rather, it brought fresh meaning to Jesus’ life and ministry. The first Christians saw it as a deliberate act of God, enabling them to experience God’s presence and activity.

Stauros is the Greek word, usually translated CROSS, that in the Bible is used in reference to the device on which Jesus was executed. The Cross is the symbol of the triumph of good. As a symbol, the Cross is a reminder of the sacrifice of our Savior over two thousand years ago. The reason Jesus had to die for our sins was for us to be forgiven (for our sins) and go to be with the Lord.

Jesus bore our sins upon the Cross and died in our place so we could be reconciled with God the Father Almighty and receive eternal life. The meaning of the Cross is a representation of Jesus Christ shedding His blood for the forgiveness of our sins. Therefore the Cross is a symbol of the sacrifice so that we, as Christians, can have the reassurance that we will go to heaven through Christ. According to Explore Faith, “The Cross in the New Testament also has a more personal and individual meaning as a symbol or an image for the path of transformation, for what it means to follow Jesus. It means to die and rise with Christ”. We also find this in Acts of the Apostles (Paul) – “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me”. The Cross is an image for the path of spiritual and psychological transformation that leads to a new identity and way of being.

The Cross reveals that the true nature of God is to love totally, and for this reason the cross of Jesus Christ is central to the Christian faith. God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the Cross for sinners. The Cross reminds you and me that we have been bought with a price; Jesus loved you and me so very much that He gave up His life for us. Even while dying Jesus didn’t have remorse for anyone. In fact, as Jesus hung on the cross, He forgave the soldiers who were constantly mocking Him and eventually crucified Him.

Mount Calvary

Mount Calvary is the mountain where the miraculous event took place – saving mankind from sin and death. This is the place where Jesus was crucified; Mount Calvary was the place of execution, not far from Jerusalem; and the name signifies the “place of skulls”.

“Take up your Cross”

Then he (Jesus) said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their Cross daily and follow”. Taking up one’s Cross means torture and total denial of self. What Jesus meant was that we have to lead a righteous and sinless life to be His true disciples. We have to give up all possible temptations that come our way and take the path of difficult righteous life.