Updated:- Monday, November 6th, 2023
Does The Cross of Christ Possess Different Meanings?
Much has been said and done concerning the cross of Christ. It has been debated, ridiculed, preached about, and studied.
But, did you know that for the unbelievers and unsaved Jesus’ cross represents something totally different from that of the Believers?
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18
Nevertheless, we could never say enough about it. I know, you may still have questions about the cross of Christ; however, I plan to furnish answers to them today!
John Scott explains the centrality of the cross in his most successful book. Get a copy of it here.
What Really Is The Cross Of Cross?
Seeing that everyone does not see eye to eye concerning the importance of the cross of Christ, let’s lay the foundation now, to build a substantive structure on it later.
Let’s not be bogged down with irrelevant details. The cross of Christ is the place where he was crucified. The shape, size, and type of it are irrelevant.
Their consideration won’t change anything worth talking about, much less writing about!
Nevertheless, it is crucial for Christians to perceive it as the Bible sees it! The Holy Scriptures see the cross of Christ as a tree.
If you would rather listen to the audio concerning it, get a free audiobook here!
Our Leaders’ Take on What Is The Cross of Christ?
So, let’s go to the Scriptures to reveal this! First, let’s peruse Doctor Luke’s description of the cross.
“And when they had fulfilled all that was written of [Jesus], they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.”
Acts 13:29
Then, Apostle Peter’s perspective of it!
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed,”
1 Peter 2:24
Finally, what did the great Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul, say concerning it? He declares,
“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:”
Galatians 3:13
Thus, we have three different apostles in agreement concerning it. They all concur that the cross of Jesus is a tree.
So, these verses describe adequately the cross of Christ.
However, as we begin to perceive it, as the Bible reveals it, we shall receive enlightenment!
But Was That All Concerning The Cross of Christ?
Is that all concerning Jesus’ cross? It was only merely a tree?
However, don’t get drawn into a pointless debate about whether it was “T” shaped or otherwise. The important consideration is to see it as the Bible does, a tree on which Jesus died.
John Scott covers the real significance of this in his book, “The Cross of Christ”. However, if you rather have the audio version, then listen to it for free!
Who Were by the Cross of Christ When He Died?
According to John,
“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene” (John 19:25).
However, Matthew says many women were there watching him on the cross from a distance.
“And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:” (Matthew 27:55).
“Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedees children.” (Matthew 27:56).
A Tree At The Center of It!
Nevertheless, isn’t it ironic that with both the first man Adam and the Last Adam a tree was involved in their disobedience and obedience to God respectively?
A tree was involved in Adam’s disobedience which resulted in his separation from God; however, another tree, the cross, was involved in the Last Adam’s obedience to God that reconciled humanity to Him.
Jesus Christ accomplished all this through his cross.
For that reason, despite the derision of the people in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion, he endured the cross.
Jesus Endured All This On a Tree!
They say,
“… Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.”
Matthew 27:40
But that wasn’t all they said!
Some mocked,
“He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.”
Matthew 27:42
Nevertheless, he “being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8).
Even the two transgressors who were crucified with him joined in and reviled Jesus while he was on the cross.
They mocked the King of Israel.
“Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.”
Mark 15:32
I’m very grateful to Jesus for enduring the pain of his cross. Because he suffered, I don’t have to endure the same.
What Does The Cross of Christ Teach Us?
Without it, humanity couldn’t enjoy the benefits of repentance to life with Christ. Because of it, the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ purged our sins. It enabled the remissions of sins that we needed.
Finally, how one object–the cross of Christ–could be seen as lowly and common by one group (the Romans) and despised by another (the Jews), but it’s so significant that it generates life for all?
