Holy Week Devotional on the Meaning of the Cross

 This is an introduction to a Holy Week Devotional on the Meaning of the Cross: 

Click this link:  

https://crossmeaning.blogspot.com/2025/03/7-meanings-of-cross.html

 The cross is one of the most cherished symbols and most recognized symbols of Christianity.  The Red Cross is a universal symbol of help.  The cross is used to mark especially military graves as a reminder of the Christian hope given by the cross.  The power of the symbol is seen in its use in exorcisms or as a protective mechanism.  But wearing the cross is a form of identifying with the most famous person who died on it- Jesus the Christ.  The person of Christ is tied up in the important work that He did while on earth, and centralized upon the giving of Himself on the cross.  He spoke often and early in His ministry about His death as a ransom (Mark 10:45), as a sacrifice, as evidence of God's love (John 3:16-18).  There are multiple meanings- perhaps- if we believe each meaning is a matter of our perception or incorporation of it- then there are billions of facets of the purpose, definition and efficacy of the cross. 
     There have been many works about what actually happened on the cross (Amy Jill Levine "Witness at the Cross" or Jim Bishop's classic "The Day Christ Died" or even Raymond Brown's encyclopedic commentaries, or Max Lucado's illustrative "He Chose the Nails"  or "Six Hours One Friday").  In these senses- the cross is a reminder of the historicity of the death of Jesus.  Roman Senator and historian Tacitus, writing in 60AD speaks of "the surpreme peanlty" given to Christ under Pilate and Tiberius (Josephus, Thallus, Phlegon Lucian of Samsota all refer to Christ being killed on the cross).  But the focus on this work is on the biblical interpretations of the cross of Jesus Christ from the standpoint of Christian faith.   We can easily go down many rabbit trails and delve deep into different subjects.  Some focus on the "Seven Last Words of Jesus."  

But for this study we will look at seven New Testament meanings of the cross. 
The meanings are deep, varied, freeing, hopeful and inspire gratitude, following, and sacrificial love.  

1) Jesus an Example of Suffering (1 Peter 2:21-24) 
2) Jesus as our Ransom (Mark 10:45)
3) Jesus the Victorious King Over Death and Evil (Colossians 2:15; 1 Corinthians 15:57)
4) Jesus the Sacrificial Atoner for Our Sins on the Cross (Hebrews 10:10, Col. 2:14; 1 John 4:10)
5) The Cross as a symbol of God's Love (John 3:16; John 15:13; Romans 5:8)
6)  The Cross as Descending into Hell (1 Peter 3:16,17; Colossians 1:18)
7)  The Cross as the Way to God (1 Peter 1:18; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21)