“I Like Crosses”

I recently attended a gathering of Christians. At the gathering one of the pastors was wearing a cross ring. The ring was quite attractive with gold-plating and an embossed cross raised on top of it. One of the ladies at the gathering saw the ring and said, “I like crosses”. She went on to say, “I collect cross jewelry; necklaces, rings, bracelets and pins”.

One of the elder women at the gathering said, “You like crosses, do you?” She went on to say, “Well if you like crosses, do you like to bear them?” That was certainly a sobering statement. I then chimed in to break the tension by saying, “Must Jesus bear the cross alone, and all the world go free?” Another person chimed in and said, “No, there’s a cross for everyone, and there’s a cross for me.”

Let’s take a look at the cross. It is more than just a piece of jewelry.

Scripture Readings: Matthew 16:24 (ESV)

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Reflection:

The cross was a tool of death. It was used to crucify Jesus Christ as He brought forgiveness of sin and salvation to the world. Most people believe that the Romans created the cross for punishment of those convicted of criminal actions to include rebellion, insurrection, and blasphemy of the Roman gods. But, research indicates the cross and crucifixion probably originated with ancient Persians in the 7th century BC. The practice of crucifixion on the cross was later adopted by the Romans.

The crucifixion generally began with a scourging or whipping with a strap or club covered with sharp bone, stone, or anything sharp that could cause extreme pain and bleeding. The scourging exposed muscle, bone, entrails (intestines or internal organs) and could cut major veins or disembowel the person being whipped.

Then the convicted rebel of the law, government or society usually had to carry the horizontal beam to the place of execution, not necessarily the whole cross. The rebel was then probably affixed to the cross by ropes, piercing nails, or some combination of the two. This was to provide a particularly painful, gruesome, and public death. The rebel would in hours or days die from asphyxiation, physical shock, dehydration, and/or exhaustion. This would be a deterrent to anyone considering challenging the forces of authority.

So, for Christians the Cross should never be viewed as just a piece of jewelry. It has a painful history for our Savior Jesus Christ, and a story of hope for those that believe in Him. The author (Thomas Shepherd (1693)) of “Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone” says it well:

(1) Must Jesus bear the cross alone,

and all the world go free?

No, there’s a cross for everyone,

and there’s a cross for me.

(2) How happy are the saints above,

who once went sorrowing here!

But now they taste unmingled love

and joy without a tear.

(3) The consecrated cross I’ll bear

till death shall set me free;

and then go home my crown to wear,

for there’s a crown for me.

(4) Upon the crystal pavement down,

at Jesus’ pierced feet,

joyful I’ll cast my golden crown

and His dear name repeat.

5 O precious cross! O glorious crown!

O resurrection day!

When Christ the Lord from heaven comes down

and bears my soul away

Amen!