When I see someone wearing a cross as an instrument of adornment I’m occasionally surprised. Many years ago a friend and I wandered into an ice cream shop to get a scoop on a hot summer’s evening and the clerk was wearing a cross around her neck. My friend asked “Do you wear that cross because you believe Christianity is true or because it’s just a nice piece of jewelery?” The clerk, after composing herself from blushing, said something like “I dunno.” The conversation turned quickly to taste-testing.
In the first-century the cross was a symbol of shame, punishment, torture, and execution. It certainly was not a means of “dressing up” nor a way to enhance one’s appearance. No one in Christ’s day would think of polishing up a cross with precious stones and selling it. In fact, in first century Greco-Roman society the Greek word for “cross” (stauros) was considered a profane term and rarely used amongst the economically or socially privileged. Only after Christ was crucified did Christians begin to see it as an instrument of pride since it pointed to the Savior crucified.
Though Rome used the cross as a threat to any nation that would defy its military might, it came to symbolize God’s absolute sovereign rule over sin, suffering, and, ironically, any political power that seeks to displace God.
One of my favorite songs, as sung by Steve Green, is “Embrace the Cross” found here. The lyrics are worthy of deep reflection.
I am crucified with Christ
Therefore I no longer live
Jesus Christ now lives in me (Repeat)
Embrace the cross
Where Jesus suffered
Though it will cost
All you claim as yours
Your sacrifice will seem small
Beside the treasure
Eternity can’t measure
What Jesus holds in store
Embrace the love
The cross requires
Cling to the one
Whose heart knew every pain
Receive from Jesus
Fountains of compassion
Only He can fashion
Your heart to move as His
Oh, wondrous cross our desires rest in you
Lord Jesus make us bolder
To face with courage the shame and disgrace
You bore upon Your shoulder
Embrace the life
That comes from dying
Come trace the steps
The Savior walked for you
An empty tomb
Concludes Golgotha’s sorrow
Endure then till tomorrow
Your cross of suffering
Embrace the cross
Embrace the cross
The cross of Jesus
Why was the first reaction of you & your friend to judge the clerk? Why is it still your reaction?
Interesting comment/question, Craig. Not sure of my friend’s motives (it was more than 30 yrs ago). Nor am I sure that posing the question necessitates there was any “judging” going on (assuming you take judging to be something like “negatively apprising a person’s attitude or behavior based upon limited information about them”).