THE CROSS OF CHRIST

To many people, the cross is offensive. To others it is a decoration to be worn around the neck. For some, it is a symbol of the fact that they profess to be a Christian.

But the cross is so much more than that. Sure, the cross has become a symbol of Christianity, but there is a reason for it. The cross, of course, represents the cross on which Jesus the Christ was crucified some 2000 years ago.

At the time, Rome was the world empire, and they often had to deal with those who were subversive, trying to overthrow the Roman Empire. They had to deal with the people in a way that showed they were "in charge." And to do so, they dealt with criminals and subversives in a cruel way. Execution was common.

The cruelest method of execution was crucifixion. It was generally reserved for the most heinous of crimes, such as murder, insurrection, etc. At times it was also used to execute thieves. We would think that stealing is not a crime that should warrant execution. But for the Roman occupying forces, who had to show they were in control and who needed to exercise tight controls on the populace in order to fend off civil unrest and disobedience. The penalty of crucifixion was the most painful and degrading form of capital punishment in the ancient world.

Historical Development

Originally a cross was a pointed wooden stake used to build a wall or to erect a fortress around a town. Beginning with the Assyrians and the Persians, it begn to be used to display the heads of captured enemies or extremely heinous criminals. It was usually set up just outside the gates of a city. Later, crucufision developed into a form of capital punishment used for enemies of the state, as the whole body was impaled upon it.

At first, it was reserved only for slaves, but after a while it was used for any enemy of the state. As time went on, the Romans began to use it for a deterrent to any type of criminal activity.

According to Jewish law (Deuteronomy 21:22-23), offenders of the most heinous sins (crimes) were "hung on a tree," and this symbolized they were "accursed of God" and outside the covenant people. Such criminals were to be removed before nightfall so they would not "defile the land."

On the whole the Jews condemned and seldom used crucifixion as a method of punishment, for it was felt to be too cruel. . . and then there was that "accursed" stygma attached to it.

Crucifixion In Jesus' Day

A person crucified in Jesus' day was first of all scourged -- beaten with a whip consisting of thongs with pieces of metal attached to the end -- until blood flowed. This was done in order to hasten death. After the beating, the victim was forced to carry the cross beam to the execution site. A tablet detailing the crime(s) was often placed around the criminal's neck as he carried the beam, and was later nailed to the cross the criminal was crucified on.

At the execution site, the criminal was fastened to the cross. The most usual way was to tie them to the cross, but if a quicker death was desired they were nailed to the cross beam. The nails were driven through the wrist, not the palm, since the small bones in the hand would not support the weight of the body. The beam, with the body, was then lifted up and tied to the already standing upright pole. A wooden block was placed about halfway up to provide a "seat" for the body so that the nails would not tear open the wounds or the ropes would not force the arms from their sockets. Finally the feet were tied or nailed to the upright post.

Death generally came by loss of blood. Often the legs were broken to cause massive shock and a quick death. It also helped prevent the criminal from trying to use his legs to lift himself upward from the downward pull of the body weight.

These crucifixions were performed in public places. Often the body would be left there for days to rot and became food for carrion birds.

The Crucifixion of Christ

Jesus predicted His crucifixion many times in the Gospels. The narration in the Gospels of the actual crucifixion stress the guilt of the Jews, but separated the Jewish leaders from the Jewish people in doing so. The common people were seen as supporting Jesus all along the way until they were led astray by the leaders. However, Roman guilt is also portrayed, since the Jewish ruling council could no longer initiate crucifixion or any other capital punishment. This power was designated only to the Roman occupation rulers. Furthermore, only the Romans could carry out an execution under the Roman laws. The details as listed above, showing crucufixion in Jesus' day, was all founded on Roman customs in the crucifixion act. The only Jewish elements that can be detected in Jesus' crucifixion were the wine mixed with myrrh (Mark 15:23), which was designed to be a bit of a pain killer, the hyssop reed with vinegar (Mark 15:36), and the removal of the body before sunset (John 19:31).

Theology of the Cross

For the Apostle Paul the "word of the cross" (I Corinthians 1:18) is the heart of the Gospel, and the preaching of the cross is the soul of the church's mission. Christ crucified on the cross is more than the basis of salvation; it is the central event in history -- the singular moment that demonstrated most fully God's love for mankind and His control of and involvement in human history. The idea was ridiculed even in Paul's day, so much so that Paul referred to the "foolishness" of the preaching of the cross. To men, and according to human "wisdom", he was saying, the Gospel message is foolishness. BUT, he says, it is the "power of God unto salvation" (I Corinthians 1:17-2:16).

The cross is the basis of our salvation, according to the New Testament. The cross brings redemption (paying the ransom or penalty), propitiation (satisfying God's righteous wrath), and justification (being acquitted of our sins).

But additionally, the cross forged a new unity between Jew and Gentile by breaking down the wall of hostility between them, introducing peace, and creating a new and direct access to the Father.

The cross also disarmed demonic powers! satan must surely have thought he had won and that the cross was in his plan. Little did he realize the cross was to be his defeat!

Symbolism of the Cross

Jesus himself established the primary symbolism of the cross as complete surrender to God. He used it often as a symbol of discipleship in terms of self-denial. He told us to take up our cross and follow Him. He did not intend for us to be crucified as He was. However behind this is the implication that we should be at least willing to be martyred for Him. What He primarily meant was that we should sacrifice our inidviduality for the purpose of following Him completely. We are to crucify the self. What a contrast to popular psychology, which tells us to strengthen the self!

Closely tied to this is Paul's symbolism of the "crucified life." According to this, conversion means that our "ego" no longer lives, but is replaced by Christ and faith in Him. We put to death the old self and selfish desires by nailing them to the cross with Christ. This means our crucifixion is in the past when we're converted, and in the ongoing present as we seek to live the Christ-life each and every day.

So the cross of Christ is also our cross. Through the cross we are saved -- redeemed and justified by Christ's blood shed thereon. Through the cross we are sanctified as we identify with Christ and His submission to God in obedience unto death.

We, too must bear the cross of Christ in humility and in obedience. We, too must put to death our old self of sin and put on the new self that is in Christ.

The cross was not His to bear alone. You and I must bear it as well. The cross He bore was not for Himself, but for us. The cross He bore should have been our cross. But He bore it in our place. Now we must bear His cross.

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