AMY TURNER
Throughout history, different faiths and belief systems have chosen symbols to represent what they stand for. Christians, however, chose one of the most unlikely symbols: a cross. In ancient times, the cross was a tool of public shame, suffering, and death. It seems unusual that followers of Jesus would cling to such a painful image when they could have chosen a manger, an empty tomb, or a dove, each carrying their own powerful meaning.
Yet, the cross lies at the heart of Christian belief. It was on the cross that Jesus carried the weight of humanity’s sin. As recorded in John 19:16-17, Jesus was taken away to be crucified, carrying his own cross to a place called Golgotha. The Apostle Paul once declared that he would boast only in the cross of Jesus Christ, for it stands as the place where God’s holiness meets human failure.
To some, the cross is foolishness; to others, it remains a sacred mystery. It is where divine mercy covers human wrongdoing. As we remember the crucifixion, each person should pause and consider: What does the cross mean to you?
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
