The Cross of Christ - Fashion or Forgiveness

Have you ever wondered why the emblem of the cross has such a profound presence in our world today? To Christians, the cross should be a reminder of the call of Christ. In Roman times the cross was a means of death for prisoners to serve not only as a means for killing someone but it was also a method of torture. When the Roman Empire ruled, the symbol of the cross caused fear and shame. Today, the cross is seen everywhere. You can find a cross in your everyday life without even having to look for one. Churches display a cross on their steeple, in their front yard, or on their sign. Cemeteries are decorated with crosses on headstone, in wreaths and as a plaque. Jewelry stores have them available for sale as necklaces, earrings and bracelets. We see crosses displayed on billboards, standing upon a high hill or landscaped in yards. With so many crosses in our view, have we become insensitive to the meaning of the cross. Could we even go as far as to say that it is appealing to us? As time as passed, has the cross just become a work of art, an ornament, or merely decoration? I wonder how Christ feels about how His symbol of sacrifice has turned into secular scenery. Jesus knew what He was facing and He did not waiver or compromise. Do we honestly believe that because we have a cross hanging around our neck, displayed in our living room, or attend church under a cross that we are doing something for Christ? We don't "need" to do anything. Christ did everything for us. What we should "want" to do is share what Christ has done. Why? Because that is what he (Jesus) has called us to do. He willingly suffered on the cross so that we could have a relationship with God. Why do we need this relationship? First, for our eternal life. There is nothing we can do ourselves to make us acceptable to God. He is a holy God and we are not. Since we couldn't get to God because we are so unholy, God came to us through His Son. When Christ suffered on that cross, he was taking our ungodliness (sins) upon himself so that when God looks at those who believe on his son, all he sees is his son. Our sins are covered under the blood of Christ - we have been forgiven. This is why Paul states, "but we preach Christ crucified..." (1 Cor 1:23). Believing in Jesus, that he is the Son of God, crucified and raised from the dead, we can have eternal life with our heavenly father. Second, for our present life. We live in a wicked world. Who wants to handle this wickedness on their own? Even though we may suffer and face trials and disappointment, we have the knowledge that God is with us. Jesus knows our pain, hears our prayers, and tells his father. We have a presence with us that cannot be taken away, cannot be destroyed and cannot be manipulated. Why would we not want to tell others about the meaning of the cross of Christ. Why keep this to ourselves when we see others suffering. Why would we even be at peace knowing that without Christ they will spend eternity in hell. Personally, I have my cross necklaces and earrings, I have my crosses hanging on my walls and I will even display a cross in my yard. But I have to be careful and remember what this symbol represents. It is not about fashion or beauty, it is about my Lord Jesus Christ and what he did for me. I love having these reminders around me.