Christians And the Cross

Why do Christians love the Cross?

Christians love the cross. We sing about it, and paint pictures of it. You can find crosses on our church buildings and homes, and even see them hanging around our necks and on our clothing.

LDS teaching tends to shift the focus of Christ’s sacrifice from the cross to the Garden. Many LDS people even feel uncomfortable about the way that Christians emphasize the cross.

Some may even ask, “Don’t you know that it was a device of torture and death? Would you wear an electric chair around your neck?” Is it appropriate to emphasize the cross as much as Christians do?

What does the Bible teach?

Through the cross:

  • We can be relationally reconciled to God (Ephesians 2:16)
  • We can have forgiveness of sins (1 Peter 3:18)
  • God demonstrated His love for us (Romans 5:8)
  • Christ conquered His enemies (Colossians 2:13-15)
  • God established the New Covenant (Luke 22:19-20)
  • We can have full assurance of our faith (Hebrews 10:19-22)
  • We can be justified (Romans 5:9)
  • Christians have peace with God (Colossians 1:20)
  • Eternal life is secured for all those who believe (John 3:16)

So, back to the electric chair question: “Would you wear an electric chair around your neck?”

If the Savior of the world died in an electric chair to accomplish all of these things, then, simply put, “Yes, we would.”

So What?

This is why Christians celebrate both Easter AND Good Friday! The cross of Christ is incredibly meaningful for Christians, and always has been!

When we look at the cross, we don’t just see an instrument of torture, we see the love of God for us! And it is by Jesus’ death on the cross alone that we can have eternal life.

When we look at the cross, we don’t just see an instrument of torture, we see the love of God for us! And it is by Jesus’ death on the cross alone that we can have eternal life.

Verses
  • Ephesians 2:16
  • 1 Peter 3:18
  • Romans 5:8
  • Colossians 2:13-15
  • Luke 22:19-20
  • Hebrews 10:19-22
  • Romans 5:9
  • Colossians 1:20
  • John 3:16