“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:8 NIV84)
Once the familiar T-shape of the cross was only a symbol of Terror; of a death so gruesome and shameful that it was reserved for the vilest of criminals and the lowest of slaves. The same Romans who practiced crucifixion also feared it. Cicero, the Roman orator, declared that the very word cross should be “far removed from not only the bodies of Roman citizens but even from their thoughts, their eyes, and their ears.”
Crucifixion was designed to be excruciatingly painful. In fact, the term excruciating is from the Latin excruciatus, literally meaning “from out of the cross.” The physical agony of crucifixion was unspeakable. Seven to nine-inch iron spikes were hammered through flesh and bone, wrists and feet. Joints became dislocated, a circumstance described prophetically of Jesus in Psalm 22: “I am poured out like water; and all My bones are out of joint.”
T-shaped cross monument County Donegal Ireland
The position of the body on the cross made breathing difficult, especially inhaling. Often, death by crucifixion was due to suffocation. And along with the physical agony of crucifixion came psychological torture like the constant gasping for breath and the humiliation of being crucified naked.
The Bible states simply: “And they crucified Him.” Yet, the words are steeped in blood, misery, unjust suffering, and untold agony. In reality, you and I have no concept of what Jesus endured on that cross. His physical suffering was gruesome enough. Yet, at the same time, He was carrying the incomprehensible weight of the world’s sin and guilt, and suffering the agonies of hell. And all of this for our sake. As Isaiah wrote: “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5 NIV)
“T” for Triumph
Yet, for believers, that familiar T-shaped cross has become a symbol of Triumph, not defeat; power, not weakness; forgiveness, not failure. For by His death on the cross, Jesus atoned for the sins and sinners of all the world. Because of Him we humbly and lovingly display the cross in our homes and churches, on hymnals and Bibles, at baptisms and funerals, in benedictions and lyrics: “Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim.” “In the cross of Christ I glory.” “Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling.” “This the superscription be: Jesus crucified for me.”
Of this “T” for Triumph Paul wrote in Colossians 2: “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; He took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” (Colossians 2:13-15 NIV84)
“T” for Transformation
The message of Christ’s cross has the power not only to save us, but also to Transform us; that is, to empower us to live grateful lives befitting so great a salvation. Paul wrote of this transformation in Galatians 2:20, saying: “I have been crucified with Christ and I [the Greek word is EGO] no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (NIV)
How can we stand at the cross of Jesus, then walk away unmoved? How can we understand what He paid for our forgiveness, yet refuse to forgive others?
He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.
is a professor at Immanuel Lutheran College in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.