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"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18).
The cross is a principal symbol for Christians because it serves as a constant reminder of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: That He is our Redeemer who was crucified, dead, buried and resurrected. Thereby gifting the good news of the benefit of eternal life with Him in the approaching Kingdom of God for whosoever believes in Him as the risen Savior.
Christianity has other symbols including a dove, a fish and a lion. The dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit. The fish symbolizes Jesus's and our roles of being fishers of men - winning souls by converting people to Christ. The lion symbolizes Jesus as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah or King of the Jews (Revelation 5:5; Genesis 49:9; Matt. 2:1-2).
But the cross is deployed the most, and is therefore one of the most recognized symbols in the world. Just about anywhere you go, you can see it emblazoned or romanticized on books, ornaments, clothing, jewelry, artwork, statues, sculptures, buildings, etc.
Some Christians use the cross in religious ceremonies.
But we do not worship the cross, as pagans worship idols and graven images: a practice that the Lord forbids. We worship the Lord God who was lifted up from the earth on the cross - thereby drawing all men unto Him (John 12:32).
Catholics use the crucifix, a cross with an image of Jesus still nailed to it, while most Protestants prefer not to depict what they view as a grotesque image on crosses.
Catholics say the body still on the cross reminds them of Jesus's sacrifice for the remission of our sins.
Protestants argue that depicting Jesus still nailed to the cross taints the one-time sacrifice that Christ represents, and therefore prefer to focus on the victory of Christ over the powers of evil and death in His Resurrection symbolized by an empty cross.
Catholics are also known for making the sign of the cross as a profession of faith, a prayer, a dedication or a benediction.
While there are many variations of crosses out there, such as the Coptic and the Greek, some like the Egyptian ankh and the Nazi swastika have nothing at all to do with Christianity.
Jesus Christ was forced to carry His own heavy, wooden cross of crucifixion to the Hill of Cavalry or Golgotha just outside of Jerusalem, after he was scourged or whipped on orders of Pontius Pilate. Christ had been condemned by a Jewish tribunal which forced Pilate's hand.
The Roman governor wanted nothing to do with the death of Jesus at first, but eventually relented due to the immense pressure applied by the Jewish religious leadership.
After Jesus was crucified and arisen, He appeared to over 500 people including His 11 remaining disciples (1 Corinthians 15:6). He then gave the 11 what is known as the Great Commission:
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24:44-49; John 20:19-23; and Acts 1:8)
The message of the cross is that Jesus Christ is risen, as He said. The Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Lion of the Tribe of Judah conquered sin and death, lives forever and will return to establish the everlasting Kingdom of God.
Long livevthe Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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