The Symbol of the Cross

Power. That is what the cross symbolized in the Roman world. Its crossbeam declared Rome held the power of life and death over the empire’s subjects. If any dared stand against Rome or disobey Roman rule, that person ended up as food for the birds as his or her lifeless body drooped from a cross alongside some major Roman thoroughfare.

Rome crucified its opponents in busy places, not on a hillside removed from public view. The guide at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem emphasized that point to a group of state Baptist paper editors during our January visit to Israel. Just outside the busiest gate right next to the limestone slabs that made the main road is the place where Jesus died — Golgotha. "The place of the skull" refers to those who died on crosses along the roadside.

To onlookers, the cross of Jesus symbolized failure. This charismatic teacher from Nazareth had promised change. He spoke of personal devotion to God. It was believed He would renew Israel’s faith in God Almighty. Some even wondered aloud if this son of a carpenter might actually be the Promised One.

Reports said He performed miracles. He gave sight to the blind and strength to withered limbs. The movement around Him was like a fire growing stronger with every passing moment. But the cross ended that. Jesus died in darkness when a cloud covered the sun and turned midday into midnight.

The cross darkened every spark of hope for Israel’s religious renewal. The empty cross stood like a monument to failure — at least to the onlookers.

To the temple rulers, the cross was a symbol of their conspiracy. For months, they had sought to discredit the young upstart from the Galilee region. Caiaphas, the high priest, had even counseled that Jesus should die before He jeopardized Israel’s tacit agreement with Rome about control of internal affairs.

For some reason, Pontius Pilate, the governor, had traveled from his home in Caesarea to Jerusalem. Was he concerned about the growing influence of those who advocated resistance against Rome? Was he there to make sure nothing happened to threaten Rome’s control during the Passover celebration when Jews from around the world journeyed to Jerusalem? Jesus had to be silenced before circumstances got out of control.

Temple leaders knew the intrigue of statecraft well. They conspired with one of Jesus’ followers to sell out his leader. Then, with half-truths and outright falsehoods, they manipulated the justice system until a moblike attitude seized the city and the crowds cried for Jesus’ death.

Israel could not murder this so-called "Rabbi," but Rome could be maneuvered into doing what the temple rulers wanted.

So there was the cross where Jesus once hung, a testimony to the conspiracy so masterfully concocted to eliminate this troublemaker once and for all.

For the followers of Jesus, the cross was the symbol of ultimate tragedy, a miscarriage of justice, even a type of betrayal.

Peter had voiced the confession of them all when he said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." His followers were convinced that Jesus was the One for whom all Israel longed. That is why they left their families and their livelihoods and followed Jesus for nearly three years.

In all that time, they never saw Him do anything illegal. He did not incite rebellion. He counseled giving to Caesar what was Caesar’s. Jesus was morally upright in every respect. He was gentle and compassionate. He did nothing to merit punishment by Rome, let alone the cross.

The followers of Jesus believed He was supposed to restore Israel. He was supposed to usher in the kingdom of God. He was not supposed to die on a cross. Somewhere in the deepest parts of those in touch with their feelings the day after Jesus died, there must have been some sense of betrayal that after all they had left for Jesus, their leader had died on a Roman cross. What were they to do now?

But there is another view of the cross — the view through Jesus’ eyes. There is no escape from the pain and suffering of that instrument of execution, but that is not its main symbol. Jesus Himself said He could call thousands of angels to keep Him from the cross but He did not.

Instead Jesus "gave Himself a ransom for many." No one took His life. He freely gave it as He "learned obedience even unto death on a cross." It is not some coercive power of which the cross of Jesus speaks. Rather it is the power of love that is symbolized by the cross. It is unmerited love, love freely offered to a world led astray by sin.

The Bible declares that "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

This transforming love of God made known on the cross of Jesus routed the terror of raw power. The cross vanquished evil with good. Failure gave way to eternal victory. Tragedy was replaced by hope, and death was swallowed up in life everlasting.

Then what is the symbol of the cross? It is God’s redeeming and forgiving love made known in the death of Jesus.