The Meaning Of The Cross is deeply rooted in the mysteries of God’s kingdom. The cross of Jesus Christ is what unites Christians for God’s glory. It is one of the Christian pillars whose message is God’s power to bring everlasting life unto those who believe in Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:18 – “For the message about Christ’s death on the cross is nonsense to those who are being lost; but for those who are being saved it is God’s power“. The cross means “path to salvation through Christ”. It is the center point of Christianity which host the death and Resurrection of Christ through whom we are forgiven, loved, welcomed and given eternal life in God’s kingdom. The meaning of the cross is so deep that we find it difficult to unravel with human words.

Note here that we are talking of the Holy Cross of Jesus Christ. From a human point of view, the cross is a means of atonement. In simple terms, it host the suffering awaiting lawbreakers. Back in the days of the twelve Apostles, it represented the punishment reserved for those who were judged and found guilty of intense crimes. God used it as a means of liberating mankind from sin and guilt. It was out of love that he sent his only son, Jesus Christ to come and take our place on the cross. Although he was not guilty of sin, he was handed into the hands of wicked men who did not spare his life. They made him to suffer the destiny of the wicked and sinful by crucifying him on the cross. On the cross, he took with himself our punishment.

The Meaning of the Cross – Everything you need to know

Understanding the cross

It takes a mind which is guided by the Holy Spirit to understand the mysteries of the cross or it’s true meaning. That’s why Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:18 that the Message of the Cross is foolishness to the world but unto those who are being saved by the conviction of the Holy Spirit, it is God’s power. In order to clearly understand the meaning of the cross, we’ll recommend that you pray and request help from the Holy Spirit as you read the following points:

The Holy Scriptures are centered around the Message of the Cross

A Bible without a cross is not different from one without a peak nor one without an ending or a solution. For the Bible to be complete, the Spiral of sin which began in Genesis 3 must come to an end. Since the beginning when man had sinned and fallen short of God’s glory, a divine promise was made to reconcile him with God. This divine promise was that of the coming of God’s son to terminate the spiral of sin which began with Adam. Jesus Christ, the beloved son of God came and accomplished this promise on the cross of Calvary. On the cross, he paid the price for our sins and reestablished the possibility of experiencing a close relationship with God.

The Holy Cross is a Trinitarian Event

The Holy Cross gives the Trinitarian shape of the Christian Faith. By Trinitarian event, we mean the work of the three personalities in one God. That is God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God the Father sent his beloved son, Jesus Christ to be a sacrificial lamb that takes away the sins of the world. Jesus Christ came in full obedience and accomplished his father’s will. Today, we can benefit from the forgiveness, love, and salvation coming from his death on the cross through the conviction of the Holy Spirit. The work of redemption which was accomplished by Christ (Ephesians 1:7-10) on the cross was predestined by God (Ephesians 1:3-6). This very work is applied by the Holy Spirit as we can read from Ephesians 1;13-14.

The Cross Conquers Sin and Death

In unraveling the mysteries surrounding the meaning of the cross, we can’t afford to omit the fact that the cross conquers sin and death. The Holy Cross of Christ cancels the record of debt that stood against humanity as we can read from Col 2:14. In the same line, 1 Peter 2:24 teaches us that on the cross, Jesus Christ bore our sins in his body so that those who believe in him might die to sin and death. In Galatians 3:13, we are made to know that the curse of our sins was placed on Jesus Christ so that we might benefit from the blessings of Abraham.

The Cross is foolishness to the world

1 Corinthians 1:18 – “For the message about Christ’s death on the cross is nonsense to those who are being lost; but for those who are being saved it is God’s power“. The numerous mysteries surrounding the message of the cross can’t be understood by mere human minds without the help of the Holy Spirit. Such mysteries can neither be explained by science nor wise philosophers. That’s why some people say that “Christianity is the only major religion to have at its central focus the suffering and degradation of its God”. Until the Holy Spirit enlightens your understanding, you can’t demystify the meaning of the cross and its message. When the world looks at the cross, the perceive weakness, hate, irrationality, suffering, and disgust. On the other hand, Jesus’ follows see in the cross God’s power to save those who believe.

The cross brings peace, reconciliation, and unity

Through the death of Christ on the cross, mankind can be reconciled with God. The peace, reconciliation, unity, and joy that the world has been searching for decades can be achieved through the acceptance of Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross. The Blood of Jesus Christ harmonizes the world through love, peace, and unity (Col 1:20).

The Blood shed on the cross inaugurates the new covenant

During Jesus’ last super with the twelve Apostles, he interpreted his death on the cross as establishing the new covenant. He told the Apostles that it is by his body and blood that his new community is formed. This is in the likeness of the first and old covenant which the people of Israel made with God through the sprinkling of animal blood. The difference with the second and new covenant is that the disciples of Jesus Christ get into it through the acceptance of his blood which was shed on the cross of Calvary. The son of God came to put an end to animal sacrifices as he poured out his own blood for anyone who desires pardon of his/her sins as well as everlasting life.

The Cross vanquishes the devil

In addition to conquering sin and death on the cross, Christ also conquered the spiritual forces of darkness in all their forms. On the cross, Christ disarmed the powers and authorities of darkness thereby putting them to open shame before the eye’s of those who are being saved (Col 2:14). Christ in resurrecting gained all authority in Heaven, on Earth, under the Earth, and in the World to come (Ephesians 2:20-21).

The Cross is the marching order for Christians

When Jesus Christ was through with telling his disciples the sufferings that awaited him, he said “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” – Matthew 16:24. Anyone who is serious about following Christ must put to death his/her humanly ways which are contrary to the ways of God. That’s dying with Christ on the cross and resurrecting as a new being whose ways and heart desires reflect the nature of Christ. Carrying your cross and following Christ has to do with overcoming the human ways and following those of God’.

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