(Photo Credit: Fox)
The cross is one object that has been highly associated with Christianity over the years.
It has been considered as a symbol of Christianity and accepted sacred by many.
There is hardly any Christain ceremony where the cross is not used as a symbol. Some see it as a source of power: hence, it is most times mounted at the topmost parts of church buildings, graves, and even imprinted on bibles. Some wear big necklace of cross on their neck as a sign of power. People even use it to fight demons, as they claim. All these and many more are the beliefs attached to the cross.
But is the cross really a symbol of power?
Indeed, the bible made it clear that Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross of Calvary (Matthew 27: 32-56). But little do many know that the cross is not a place of power as they think. It is rather a place of curse (Galatians 3:13).
Well, some must have heard this, but perhaps do no understand what the bible really meant.
Under the law of Moses, when an offender is hung on a tree, he becomes condemned and accursed of God. In fact, his body was not to stay until the next day because if that was allowed, it will defile the land.
The Law on the curse of the Tree or Cross was that serious ( Deuteronomy 21: 22- 23).
Following the theory of retributive justice, it can be safely said that it was one means through which Capital Publishment was effected. History has it that many cities of old also employed it as one of the capital means of punishing serious offenders or criminals.
People hung on a cross in those days are persons believed to have committed the worse kind of offence; an offense worthy of death.
Jesus Christ came as a righteous personality, full of the wisdom of God. He knew no sin but was made sin for us when he was hung on the cross (2 Corinthians 5: 21).
When he was hung there, he became a curse, was made sinful and was condemned (Galatians 3: 13-14). Hence, he became mortal and could die.
Jesus knew what would happen to him if he was to be taken there; that was why before he gave himself up fully, he prayed and cried and even said that if it were possible, let the cup pass him by (Mathew 26: 39). To be cursed of God is one of the worse experiences ever.
Jesus was forsaken by God when he was taken there and nailed. By being hung on the cross, the sin(s) of the whole human race was laid on him. Jesus became a sinner, and a convict of God. Jesus saw the way that God abandoned him, and so he said: LORD, LORD, WHY HAS THOU FORSAKEN ME?
This means that the cross was never a place of VICTORY but DEFEAT. It was the place where Satan could smile, and punish Christ. Because of the Cross, Jesus went to hell, and suffered.
It is Satan's will for man under the Law to be taken there.
In summary, the cross symbolizes DEATH, SIN, CURSE, WEAKNESS and every evil indictment under the Law.
Nonetheless, today, Christains now hold on to the cross as if that is where their victory lies. The Christian's victory is not tied to the cross. The cross was simply the beginning of Jesus' ordeal.
The victory of the sons of God is not on the cross, but the resurrected Jesus Christ who is seated at the right hand of God (Romans 6: 5-6, Philippians 3:10, 1 Peter 3: 21).
So having Christ in the heart of the Christian is the ultimate and not on A TREE. Lack of understanding has swayed the Christian race to hold on to the things that are less important and forgo those that are important. Carrying the cross everywhere is simply an act of carrying A TREE everywhere or better still, DEFEAT everywhere.
CHRISTIANITY is a spiritual relationship. Christains are to work by Faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Therefore, Christianity does not need a symbol per se, to convince anyone of this reality.
Cross is not a symbol of power, for the power of a true Christian rests on the name of Jesus Christ, which cannot be seen or touched (Philippians 2:9).
There is no record of the early Christians carrying the cross as a symbol of their faith and power.
Anyone who hangs the cross on his chest, shirt, bible, books, or any other item of his or hers is as good as one who identifies himself with the curse of the Law.
Using a man sick of HIV as an analogy: You will agree with me that his family and friends will rejoice at him having a cure to his sickness and not the HIV that made him sick. Celebrating the Cross is like admiring the HIV.
Jesus asking us to carry our cross and follow him simply means that we must be ready to sacrifice our all for God. Jesus never meant a physical cross which should be carried up and down everywhere we go.
These little things are more than important.
Do not follow the crowd but the WORD OF GOD. That many before you have been following this trend of hanging the cross at their Windows as a symbol of power in Christianity does not make it correct. For many are these practices that are wrong.
Let us believe in the finished work of God for by so doing, we shall see the LIGHT.
LEARN NOT TO FOLLOW THE CROWD BUT GOD AND HIS WORD. LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING BUT TRUST IN THE LORD.
By Ebi Robert