Crucifixion is an unspeakable way to die. It’s physically torturing. You die slowly, minute-by-minute, inch-by-inch. It’s emotionally shameful. All your possessions are taken away, and you’re quickly deserted by everyone you know.
That’s why the cross became a symbol of shame in the ancient Roman Empire. The cross was so obscene that it was even considered a swear word. If your kid said the word “cross” you would put Tabasco sauce in his mouth. And still, this horrible, obscene object is what the early Christians chose as their logo. Imagine taking a four-letter word today and making it the name of our church, putting it on the website, every bulletin, every email, every business card.
The early Christians were willing to be a little offensive because they saw the cross as the centerpiece of human history. And if we understand what actually happened on the cross, we’ll see it the same way too. If we don’t, then the cross is just another logo. Just another decal to put on our rear windshield, next to the Keep the Country Country sticker.
The night before he was crucified, Jesus showed us the significance of the cross through an object-lesson we now call the Lord’s Supper. He and his disciples were eating dinner, and it says, “Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body” (Matthew 26:26).
Jesus could have used anything to symbolize his body, broken on the cross. He could have broken a stick. He could have thrown a plate against the wall. He could have crushed an empty Coke can against his head. But he chose bread, and he told us to eat it. Why would he do that?
Because bread is a symbol of our dependence. What happens when you don’t eat? You die! You need nourishment to live, and you get it through food. Jesus was saying, “My death on the cross for your sins is going to give you all the nourishment you need. So I want you to eat — ingest — my love for you, because nothing else in the world is going to satisfy your needs. Without me, you die!”
Unfortunately, most of us believe something different. I was talking to someone recently who is a yoga addict. She told me at first it was just a new kind of exercise for her, but now it’s a total way of life. It’s what gives her confidence, and security, and meaning in life. She said, “If someone told me I couldn’t do yoga anymore, I think I would die.”
Jesus said, “It’s not yoga, surfing, golf, money, a house, a car, a job, or anything else you need. It’s me! Without me, you die!”
After the bread, “Jesus took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:27-28). If the bread symbolizes the nourishment of Jesus, the wine symbolizes the lifeblood of Jesus. For us to have true life, the life of Jesus needs to be flowing through our veins. And the cross made that possible. As Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me!” (Galatians 2:20). The cross laid our sin and death on Jesus, and in exchange he laid his righteousness and life on us.
That’s incredibly good news, but even that’s not the end of the story. When Jesus lifted the cup of wine, he said, “I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom” (Matthew 26:29).
This is what gives us ultimate hope. Jesus didn’t stay on the cross forever. He rose from the dead to inherit his Father’s kingdom, and become ruler over the universe. He’s coming back someday, and he’s bringing his Father’s kingdom with him!
That’s why it’s the empty cross that’s our logo.