The symbol of Christianity is the cross and I have heard some people ask why.
The cross signifies death. Brutal oppression. Beatings. It was for the good for nothings.
Why choose that as the symbol? That's not a symbol of hope. Or, doesn't seem like it.
Christianity believes in three major things:
1. Jesus was born, fully God, fully human.
2. Jesus died on the cross.
3. Jesus was resurrected.
If one (the birth part at least) and two are true, but not three, then it is silly to have the cross as a symbol, because the cross without the empty tomb is not helpful for humanity.
If three is also true though, that's game changer,
The cross expresses God's heart towards our physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual needs.
Through Jesus, God gets us. He experienced a blended family, a mom questioning his mission, funerals, best friends turning their backs on him, etc. We focus so much on the God part that we forget the human part.
"The cross isn't just a reminder of the unique message of freely offered grace, but so much more than that: a symbol of the unimaginable cost that was required to purchase it" (Strobel: Case for Grace).
The cross is the symbol because of the humanity and humanness behind it.
The cross expresses God's heart towards our physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual needs.
Through Jesus, God gets us. He experienced a blended family, a mom questioning his mission, funerals, best friends turning their backs on him, etc. We focus so much on the God part that we forget the human part.
"The cross isn't just a reminder of the unique message of freely offered grace, but so much more than that: a symbol of the unimaginable cost that was required to purchase it" (Strobel: Case for Grace).
The cross is the symbol because of the humanity and humanness behind it.
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