It is common place for Christians and unbelievers alike to wear glittering crosses as jewelry.  However, it is more than a bit ironic that the real crosses of Rome’s times were not made of gold, nor were they designed to accessorize an outfit. The cross was intentionally designed as a cruel and humiliating form of execution.  It was made to expose and eradicate the flesh of the criminal.  Three things that the cross should help us remember:  First- The Humiliation, Second- The Criminal, and Third- Death.

  • The Humiliation: Jesus allowed Himself to be arrested and crucified because He knew it was the Father’s will that He should be the once and for all sacrifice for mankind’s sins.  The humiliation He bore should remind us that no sin goes unnoticed by God.  All sin will be exposed before us.  Jesus took the humiliation we deserve.
  • The Criminal:  All have sinned against the Creator of the universe.  This is the burden every man bears. We are the criminals, not God.  Yet God took our place. The perfect Creator humbled Himself to become a man, never stopped being God, to pay the penalty of our rebellious sin.
  • Death:  Yes, the penalty of sin is death. But why?  Because sin is rebellion against God and God is Life. Therefore if we turn from Life, all that is left is Death.  Therefore, the penalty for those who rebel against the Living God is death and that death is eternal.  Why eternal?  Because the One we have sinned against is eternal, therefore our penalty must be forever.  If this were the end of the story, we would be at best hopeless and helpless.  Thankfully, the good news, rather the great news is truly amazing.  God, in His infinite love and grace, sent His Only Son to pay the price for our sins.  “He who knew no sin became sin for us.”  The Cross represents the humiliation of my sins, the criminal nature of my heart, and the death I deserve. But it also represents the goodness of God.

This goodness is revealed in the humility of the Living God, the mercy of Jesus, and the Amazing Love found only in Christ.  “Amazing love, how can it be that You my King would die for me!”  “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”  John 3:18

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior;that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:5-7