The most sacred Christian symbol.
It's actually a tool of execution, so wearing one is a bit like wearing a miniature replica of the electric chair.
*Photos by Jordan Parry
It's actually a tool of execution, so wearing one is a bit like wearing a miniature replica of the electric chair.
But, it was made holy by the death of Jesus.
A sad thing, but a beautiful one. We don't really need to be sad, we know the end of the story.
"And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain."
For a world of lost sinners was slain."
What does the Cross mean to you?
*Photos by Jordan Parry
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ReplyDeleteIn the Old Testament: Man lived in bliss, innocent in his ignorance of knowing right from wrong. He lived in a world of paradise free from sin and suffering where God walked amongst him. To remain in this sinless state, man was forbidden to eat of the fruit of knowledge and wisdom, which hung from the Tree of Life. In doing so, man brought sin and death upon himself for all generations by exiling himself from God in his disobedience.
ReplyDeleteIn the New Testament: Man, in his fallen state, lived away from God in a world of sin, suffering, and despair. Jesus, the bearer of knowledge and wisdom, became the fruit that hung from the tree [i.e. the Cross]. Where sinless man was once forbidden by God to eat of the fruit lest he bring sin and death upon himself, Christ (conversely) invited us sinful man to eat of the fruit, His flesh and blood, so that we may be freed from the bondage of sin and receive life everlasting with God.
In short the Cross in the NT is the Tree from the OT; a bridge that at one time lead man from God and eternal life into a world of sin and death, but latter allowed man to leave the world of sin and death and return to God in eternal life. Without the tree of life man would have never fallen into sin, for there would be no fruit if not for the tree's existence. While at the same time without the Cross, man would never be lead back into paradise. That is the significance of the Cross to me
Cool interpretation. I love the idea of the Cross as a bridge.... taking us from the Fall in Eden to the heavenly kingdom, which will be fully realised eventually. Thanks.
DeleteFor me, the cross is a symbol of hope.
ReplyDeleteAs a Pagan, the symbol of the cross (especially the celtic cross with the circle) relates to the physical world, where the four arms lay out the four elements of earth, air, fire, and water, and the circle is the whole physical world. I also tend to see the cross as a symbol of protection (a traditional sword design is a cross, also crossing one's fingers in an X to prevent evil).
ReplyDeleteOh, that's interesting. I had never heard that the cross design had any special significance for Pagans.
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