•8:15 AM
(Part One)
By: J. Raymond Pecoraro,
Wooddale Church of Christ
What does the Cross mean to you?
To the people 2000 years ago, it meant shame!
The cross was one of the cruelest forms of execution ever devised by mankind.
The Greek word “STAUROS” means “A CROSS” or “THE CRUCIFIXION.” Another Greek word “SKOLOPS” means “A STAKE” or “A POLE.” We get our English word from the Latin word “CRUX.”
There are at least four different forms of the Cross:
1. Crux Immissa: (Matthew 27:37). This is the type of cross that the Saviour was crucified upon.
2. Crux Commissa: (T-shaped cross or also known as St. Anthony’s cross.
3. Crux Decussata: (X-shaped cross or also known as St. Andrew’s cross.
4. Greek Cross: The two pieces of wood are equal in length.
The use of the cross as a form of punishment was adopted by the Greeks & Romans from the Phoenicians, Persians, & Carthaginians. This was a barbarous form of death! The Romans used it for noted criminals because they thought the public display of torture would prevent insurrection & further crimes. The cross meant that “a criminal got just what he deserved!”
In Gal. 3:13, Paul said, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, curseth is every one that hangeth upon a tree (cross). (See Deut. 21:22, 23 … all under the law are under condemnation for violating it). Before we can begin to understand what the cross means to us, we must first see what it meant for Jesus! (Remember that Jesus was labeled a malefactor & a blasphemer by His accusers although He was innocent).
The agony of the crucified victim was brought about by a number of factors:
1. The victim literally died a 1000 deaths while upon the cross!
2. The pain from the wounds inflicted by the metal spikes driven through the hands & feet was unbearable!
3. The abnormal position of the body would make the slightest movement excruciating!
4. Suspension upon the cross would cause high fever as well as the heat from the hot sun!
5. The blood would rapidly drop into the lower extremities of the body within 6 – 12 minutes by 50%!
6. The pulse rate doubles; the heart deprived of blood causes fainting & then death!
7. Death would come as a final result of severe heart failure. It normally took 2-3 days to die, so death by “crucifragium” i.e. “the breaking of the legs” was done on the individual!
8. In Mark 15:23 we read where Jesus refused to take any stupefying portions that could help in dulling His pain! In Matthew 27:23, Jesus cried: “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me!”
The Hebrew writing stated, “Looking unto Jesus the author & finisher (perfector) of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, & is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb. 12:2). When the apostles came preaching “Christ & Him crucified; the world considered it foolishness. (Cp. Luke 10:21). And that a dead man could save others when he couldn’t save himself would be ridiculous enough, but to preach that an executed criminal is really “God made flesh” would really be preposterous indeed! Therefore the unbeliever considers the preaching of the cross foolishness at best. The Jews detested it because how could one accused of God be their “Messiah.” But Paul said to the believer that it is ‘the power of God unto salvation.” (Rom. 1:16).
Paul certainly wasn’t ashamed to preach it!
Let us look at some characteristics for which the Cross means to believers:
1. The Cross means Love: In John 3:16, Jesus said, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever beleiveth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The Hallmark Card Company’s motto is “When you care enough, you send the very best.” This is exactly what our Heavenly Father did … He cared enough that He sent the very best gift He had to make the ultimate payment for our, not His, but our sins! John stated, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, & sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (I John 4:10; Cp. Eph. 5:2).
Illustration:
None ever came as far as He,
None ever bore such agony,
None ever gave as liberally,
As Christ who died for me.
No love so great has e’er been known,
No grace so vast was ever shown,
No blood for sin could e’er atone,
But Christ’s who died for me!
2. The Cross means Peace: Paul tells us that the Prince of Peace went to the cross that we might have peace “through the blood of His cross.” (Col. 1:20). The Jewish & Gentile races can now be at peace with each other because of the cross! “For He is our peace, who hath made both one … to make in himself of the two one new man, so making peace; and that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.” (Eph. 2:14-16; See Isa. 59:1, 2). And mankind now has the same privileges concerning eternal life. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.’ (John 14:27).
Illustration:
The geographical heart of London is Charing Cross. All distances are measured by it. This spot is referred to simply “as the cross.” A lost child was picked up one day by the London police. The child was unable to tell them where she lived. Finally, in response to the repeated questions of the officers, & amid her sobs & tears, the little girl said, “If you will take me to the cross I can find my way from there.”
The cross is the point where mankind can become reconciled to God. If we find our way to God & our heavenly home we must first come to the cross! “I must needs go home by way of the cross, there’s no other way but this; I shall ne’er get sight of the gates of light if the way of the cross I miss.”
