Jesus Bore The Cross For us

Jesus bore the CROSS for us

John 19:17 - And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called

the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:

In the book of John it is recorded as Jesus bore His CROSS and went

forth to be crucified at Golgotha a small hill top which was round in

shape reminding one of a human head. But in the book of Matthew it is

recorded that Simon of Cyrene was compelled to carry the crucifix of

Jesus to the place He was crucified.

Both of these recordings are perfect.

Some of us look at the CROSS and others at the crucifix; you may be

wondering why I am using the word CROSS and the word crucifix as two

different words.

The Greek word used here is 'stauros' referred to the instrument used

for the most cruel and ignominious punishment, borrowed by the Greeks

and Romans from the Phoenicians. The Phoenicians were close neighbours

of the Israelites and closely influenced their history.

The word 'cross' comes from the Latin word 'crux'. The Latin Church

had / has four different forms of the cross:

1) Crux immissa - the one we mostly associate with the crucifixion of

Jesus Christ

2) Crux commissa - also called 'Saint Anthony's Cross' and looks like

the alphabet 'T'.

3) Greek cross - which had cross beams of equal lengths like the '+' sign.

4) Crux decussate - also called 'Saint Andrew's Cross' and looks like

the 'X' sign.

Since the original crucifix was not maintained there were many debates

on the crucifix of Jesus. No doubt of late archaeological findings

have confirmed many things in detail regarding the crucifixion of

Jesus Christ.

The Greek word 'stauros' comes from the root word 'histemi' which

means 'to cause' or 'to stand'.

There are two kinds of people who look at the crucifix of Jesus one

who look at the physical aspect and the other at the purpose. Matthew

recorded the historical aspect and correctly put that the physical

crucifix was carried on the way by Simon of Cyrene, but John who

literately wrote the autobiography of Jesus from Jesus' own mouth

wrote not of the physical crucifix but the purpose or cause which

Jesus took on Himself and which He Himself carried.

People, who look at the historical figure Jesus, give more importance

to the symbol and those who look at Jesus Christ as Saviour, give more

importance to the Cause of Jesus Christ. Paul in all his letters very

clearly talks of not of the crucifix but of the Cause of Christ

whenever he used the word 'stauros'. Only in one place in his letter

to the Colossians (Colossians 2:14) he talks of the Cause along with

the physical aspects of the crucifix.

A crucifix needs to be respected but a Christian who makes it a

religious object looks at Jesus more as a historic character and loses

on knowing Him as their Lord and Saviour. During the time of the

Apostles they never gave much importance to the physical crucifix but

more to the purpose of the death and resurrection of Christ and that's

the first foundation of baptism. Paul therefore went to the point to

record that he gave more importance to build the foundation by

preaching the Cross then to perform the ceremony of baptism, not that

he did not do it.

Peter in his letter does not even used importance to the symbol and

instead uses the word 'tree' for the crucifix of Jesus. In one way

confirming that Jesus was crucified on a wooden crucifix and not an

iron crucifix which the Romans were famous for using during those

times.

In the Old Testament the symbol of victory was the Ark of Covenant and

in the New Testament is the CROSS of Jesus Christ. Lord made the Ark

to be lost like He did to the body of Moses, but after He gave us His

Son and Spirit He also gave us the choice to choose between the symbol

and the purpose.

What do you carry?

[Prayer Starter]

Lord Jesus, You are the Word which came down and becoming flesh

dwelled among us. The flesh of man is corrupt but You came as perfect

flesh and remained perfect. The knowledge of You changes us brings us

unto perfection and eternal life. Lord, You said the days will come

when man will worship in Spirit and Truth. Holy Spirit, reveal the

Truth unto your people and help them bring victory over their flesh

and become overcomers...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

Matthew 27:33-34

32 Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name.

Him they compelled to bear His cross.

33 And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say,

Place of a Skull,

1 Peter 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree,

that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness - by whose

stripes you were healed.

1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to

preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ

should be made of no effect.

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to

those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power

of God.

Galatians 5:11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do

I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased.

Galatians 6:12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh,

these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not

suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross

of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me,

and I to the world.

Ephesians 2:16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one

body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.

Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled

Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of

the cross.

Philippians 3:18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now

tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of

Christ:

Colossians 1:20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him,

whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through

the blood of His cross.

Colossians 2:14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that

was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of

the way, having nailed it to the cross.

Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,

who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising

the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.