What does the Cross represent?

The sign of the cross, represented in its simplest form by a crossing of two lines at right angles, has been known to man before the introduction of Christianity. It goes back to a very remote period of human civilization.

There are different types and shapes of crosses. The type of cross used for torturing Jesus the Son of God many years ago for instance was the one used for executing offenders by the Roman authorities at that time. This cross of suffering remains an executioner’s tool and has nothing to do with the redemption of mankind.

The real Cross of Redemption is an equal armed cross. It is the sign and the living form of Divine Truth! The Cross of Truth stood behind Jesus radiantly during His life on earth. It clung to Him inwardly and outwardly in a living form because He was a Bringer of Divine Truth and came from the Truth. Even some of us have seen paintings that show the Son of God with the equal armed Cross shining around His head. Where this Radiant Cross is, there also is Truth, since the Cross and the Truth are one.

Furthermore, since man can only be saved and come to know about his Creator through the Truth, it follows that the Cross of Truth is also the Cross of Redemption. Truth comes from God, His Holy Word is Truth and if we adhere to this Word of God or this Truth, we will be redeemed out of our present derangement and error. The Truth frees us from the shackles of sin and leads us back to our Creator. Our salvation and redemption therefore lies solely in our accepting and abiding by the Truth.

For that reason the Son of God told men to take up the Cross and follow Him, which means to accept the Truth and to live accordingly! This simple and clear instruction has been wrongly interpreted to mean that following Christ also implies that we are to embrace suffering and that suffering is part of serving the Almighty. This doctrine of suffering is a fallacy desired neither by God nor the Son of God. In fact, in the scriptures we read words to the effect that Jesus called out to men who are heavy laden to come to him to find rest but not to add to their burden.

What is required from us therefore is to accept the Truth as it issues from Christ and adhere to His Teaching faithfully. We would then have taken up the Cross which will lead us to joy instead of suffering. Ultimately, the way of the Redeeming Cross of Truth leads to our salvation and redemption!