The Meaning of the Cross in the Believer’s Life

The cross can seem a familiar symbol. We see it on church walls and on the covers of books, and we have grown so used to it that we have almost forgotten how shocking it first was. The incarnate Son of God died by crucifixion; the one through whom all things were made had his hands nailed down; the hope of the world hung between two thieves.

The apostle Paul writes that Christ crucified was ‘a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Greeks’ (1 Corinthians 1:23). Yet in the very same letter he declares:

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:18

So what did Paul see in the cross? Let us reflect together on four truths.

The cross is the proof of God’s love

The cross was not a passing incident in history; it was a declaration of God’s love:

But God commends his own love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

When did God show his love? Not when we were good, but when we needed him most. God did not simply tell us that he loves us; he proved his love by what he did: Christ gave himself up for us.

The cross is the way of our salvation

Why was the cross necessary? Because sin is not just a small mistake we can put right ourselves. It is rebellion against a holy God, and it deserves judgement. God is holy and does not overlook sin, yet he is also loving and does not want us to perish.

At the cross, God’s justice and his love met: Christ bore the punishment for our sins, and we received his righteousness as a free gift. This is grace:

For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:21

The cross is the pattern for our lives

Jesus said to his disciples:

If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.

Matthew 16:24

Jesus does not mean a wooden cross that we hang up or carry around, but a life that denies itself for his sake and for the sake of others. To take up the cross means dying to our selfishness every day so that we may live for God, giving up our rights so that we can bless others, and letting go of revenge so that we can forgive. The cross is not a memory we revisit only during Holy Week; it is a road we walk every day.

The cross is God’s power in the world

In the eyes of the world, the cross may look like weakness and defeat: a man who died on a cross. But Paul says that, to those who are called, Christ crucified is ‘the power of God and the wisdom of God’ (1 Corinthians 1:24), and he adds:

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

1 Corinthians 1:25

True power is not found in authority, money or weapons, but in love that gives itself away. Through this simple message, the message of Christ crucified and risen, God transformed the lives of ordinary fishermen and sent them to carry the good news to the world, and he is still changing hearts today.

Putting it into practice

• Set aside some time this week to read chapter 19 of John’s Gospel quietly, and then thank Jesus for dying for you.
• When someone wrongs you, remember that Christ prayed for those who crucified him while he was on the cross: ‘Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing’ (Luke 23:34). Ask him for the strength to forgive too.
• Ask yourself: what do I need to hand over to the Lord and die to? It might be pride, selfishness or clinging to my own rights.
• Share the message of the cross with a friend in simple words: ‘Christ died for me, and for you too.’

A prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for going to the cross for me. I do not deserve what you have done, but I receive it with gratitude. Give me a heart that meditates on your cross every day, and a life that is like yours in self-giving, forgiveness and love. May the word of the cross be the power of God in my life. Amen.

Related verses

• Galatians 6:14: ‘But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.’
• Colossians 2:14: ‘wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against us. He has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross.’
• Hebrews 12:2: ‘endured the cross, despising its shame.’
• Philippians 2:8: ‘becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross.’
• Romans 6:6: ‘that our old man was crucified with him.’

Do you have a question about the meaning of the cross or about the Christian faith? Read Meet Jesus or contact us.