By Anton Petrov
Crucifixion, or being put to death on two beams that formed a cross, was the ultimate punishment in Roman days. Being crucified hurt a lot, and the pain went on for a very long time.
A person who was executed on a cross was usually paying the price for a capital crime or committing a serious offense, and it was the greatest penalty a person could receive. It is thus important to remember the picture that a cross would convey - a picture of ultimate pain and suffering on earth.
Even in modern terms, crucifixion still stands out as particularly cruel. There are many current media reports of people being tortured or subject to harsh interrogation techniques, but few of these reports measure up to the pain and suffering one would go through on the cross.
Naked, suffering wounds from beatings, nailed to a stick with arms and legs mutilated, exposed to elements and creatures, and hanging for hours or even days until your life slowly escaped you is an image that haunts the imagination in any age or culture. Such punishment is or should be reserved for a demon in flesh, a person who has defiled and mutilated humanity without remorse. In other words, a person who has forfeited their right to be a part of the human family.
In contrast, punishing a blameless person, someone who served and guided people, someone who offered love to everyone, would be the ultimate injustice carried out, and a frightening triumph of evil. The victory of the cross is easy to miss.
Yet it is not just the victory over evil that Christians celebrate on the cross, but the great gift of a loving father, our father. He who desired to show his love for us, to forgive us for all our transgressions, sacrificed his blameless son so that one day we could all know of his love and draw closer to him.
The cross was also a reminder for all Romans, a very serious warning, to steer clear of the same mistakes or they as well would face the same penalty. Publicly displaying the cross was a deterrent against future felonies or at any rate it was supposed to be. Instead, it came to be quite a motivator for all those belonging to the church to take up their own crosses and tell the world of this violence committed against God's only son.
What Christians must commit to memory is that wearing a crucifix does not make one clean or protect that person from injury. The purpose of the crucifix is to serve as a silent reminder. It is a reminder of God's love for all people and his greatest sacrifice. It also reminds us of the wickedness within us that, if not constrained, could go on a rampage and demolish everything beautiful in its path.
For Christians, the cross is reminder of the price of life and the limitless reach of love.
About the Author:
Anton Petrov is a freelance writer focusing on subjects related to teaching, religion and Christianity. For more faith-based information, follow these links for news for Christians (http://www.echristiannews.com) and jobs in ministry (http://www.eministryjobs.com) .
Crucifixion, or being put to death on two beams that formed a cross, was the ultimate punishment in Roman days. Being crucified hurt a lot, and the pain went on for a very long time.
A person who was executed on a cross was usually paying the price for a capital crime or committing a serious offense, and it was the greatest penalty a person could receive. It is thus important to remember the picture that a cross would convey - a picture of ultimate pain and suffering on earth.
Even in modern terms, crucifixion still stands out as particularly cruel. There are many current media reports of people being tortured or subject to harsh interrogation techniques, but few of these reports measure up to the pain and suffering one would go through on the cross.
Naked, suffering wounds from beatings, nailed to a stick with arms and legs mutilated, exposed to elements and creatures, and hanging for hours or even days until your life slowly escaped you is an image that haunts the imagination in any age or culture. Such punishment is or should be reserved for a demon in flesh, a person who has defiled and mutilated humanity without remorse. In other words, a person who has forfeited their right to be a part of the human family.
In contrast, punishing a blameless person, someone who served and guided people, someone who offered love to everyone, would be the ultimate injustice carried out, and a frightening triumph of evil. The victory of the cross is easy to miss.
Yet it is not just the victory over evil that Christians celebrate on the cross, but the great gift of a loving father, our father. He who desired to show his love for us, to forgive us for all our transgressions, sacrificed his blameless son so that one day we could all know of his love and draw closer to him.
The cross was also a reminder for all Romans, a very serious warning, to steer clear of the same mistakes or they as well would face the same penalty. Publicly displaying the cross was a deterrent against future felonies or at any rate it was supposed to be. Instead, it came to be quite a motivator for all those belonging to the church to take up their own crosses and tell the world of this violence committed against God's only son.
What Christians must commit to memory is that wearing a crucifix does not make one clean or protect that person from injury. The purpose of the crucifix is to serve as a silent reminder. It is a reminder of God's love for all people and his greatest sacrifice. It also reminds us of the wickedness within us that, if not constrained, could go on a rampage and demolish everything beautiful in its path.
For Christians, the cross is reminder of the price of life and the limitless reach of love.
About the Author:
Anton Petrov is a freelance writer focusing on subjects related to teaching, religion and Christianity. For more faith-based information, follow these links for news for Christians (http://www.echristiannews.com) and jobs in ministry (http://www.eministryjobs.com) .