Most religions have a symbol with which they are identified, from the Jewish Star of David, the statue of Buddha or the Sikh Kara bracelet. In Christianity it is the cross which is the universal symbol seen inside and out of Churches across the world and worn on chains around the necks of millions of people to show identity with the person of Jesus Christ.
The cross is a symbol of cruelty and suffering but also hope and redemption, the sign in remembrance of an unjust execution. The crucifix (with Jesus on the cross) emphasizes his suffering whilst the vacant cross points to his resurrection and new life. There are many themes that emerge from the cross and the execution of Jesus. Firstly it highlights the limitations of political and religious power. Pilate wanted to release Jesus but caved in to political pressure and the baying mob because he was more concerned about the dangers of sparking a riot bearing in mind that the Romans wanted to tolerate Jewish religious sensibilities.
In order that social order be maintained Pilate accepted a false charge of blasphemy and released a criminal in order to execute the innocent Jesus instead. Jesus however told Pilate that he enjoyed power only because God had allowed him too, pointing out the limitations to Pilates political power even though he seemingly held Jesus's fate . The Pharisees the religious leaders of the day had also plotted against Jesus because he was a threat to their religious power and authority and thus he became their enemy. The cross exposes political and religious corruption and self-interest.
The cross is also a symbol of humiliation and shame. Jesus was mocked, beaten, stripped naked, a crown of thorns placed upon his head, he carried his own cross, was hung between two common criminals, not only to die but also carry the sins of the entire world into his own body and was to be separated from God the father whom he had known from the beginning of time. This separation from the father must have been extremely painful emotionally as well as physically.
The paradox is that the cross also symbolizes power and victory over sin and death and that sacrificial love conquers all. It is at his resurrection that he demonstrates power over death through his suffering sacrifice that atoned for the sins of the whole world. Coming back to life was thought impossible after crucifixion particularly as the Roman soldiers made sure of death by piercing the sides and breaking the legs of the victim yet there are a number of eye witness accounts in the bible of him returning to life and meeting with his followers.
The cross was a revelation of Gods plan to restore the relationship between us and him and how we also might enjoy spiritual life through our faith, his grace and despite our own suffering. The Holy Spirit became a reality through which people may enjoy and experience God, so his suffering became a blessing to us all in the same way that we may also be a blessing to others when we love sacrificially.
The cross also alters our understanding of eternal life and death because life in the spirit is confirmed beyond the death of our physical bodies and that the barrier between ourselves and God is removed as symbolized by the splitting of the temple curtain when Jesus died. Christians will testify to communion with God in prayer and the reality of the Holy Spirit as a force in their lives.
The cross also deals with human sin which separates us from God when we do not confess it. If we agree that Sin has a cost both to ourselves and others Physically, mentally, emotionally and Spiritually, then we can also see that there is a price to pay, much like a criminal in a court case who has to pay a fine or be sentenced to prison. Jesus bore that cost himself that we may go free instead. Some people find this idea difficult that a person may not get to suffer the consequences of wrongdoing, that they may somehow get away with it and that this does not serve natural justice well. What Jesus is saying is that we are all prone to sin to various degrees so when we condemn it in others we are at the same time condemning ourselves. Who are we to point the finger at others? Jesus because he was perfect is well placed to be in a position to be able to bear that sin for us. It is rather like a judge in court passing down the death sentence on a criminal and then taking his place at the gallows.
Does this mean that we get off free? Despite our human failings we can be liberated to Gods purposes. Jesus shows us the way by exhibiting an extreme form of love , in recognizing this love we are to be inspired to change and love others in the same way. But he also warns us that to follow him is to carry the cross, that this will require putting others before ourselves, to be sacrificial like him and that we will be likely to face opposition when we begin to talk about Jesus and follow his way. He also tells us of a final judgement in which we will all need to account for ourselves. Love is thus served by both Grace and Justice and the idea that the most desperate of lives can be redeemed by repentance and faith in him.
The cross also changed history because within a few decades Christianity had spread across the entire Roman empire where the Emperor Constantine himself became a Christian. All starting from a small band of frightened followers to become the biggest people group in history numbering 2 billion across the globe. Some say that the story of the crucifixion is just symbolic that it could not have happened like that but when we grasp the meaning of the cross and have faith that the crucifixion account is true, it changes and liberates us into the spiritual life to be participants in Gods kingdom. The cross is merely an external icon but at its deepest level it signifies a change in the human heart to become more like Jesus and share in the eternal spiritual life and purpose that God has provided.