Did You Know? (Sunday, April 21, 2019)

The Cross is the most powerful and recognizable symbol of Christianity, especially during the Easter season for it was used during Jesus’ crucifixion. It is a symbol of Christ’s victory over sin and death and His love. The Romans used it as a tortuous execution method, reserved for murderers, criminals and enemies of the state. The convicted were nailed to a cross and left naked and exposed to the elements to die slowly over several days. In the account of Jesus’ death, the Jewish authorities did not want the convicted left on crosses during the Sabbath, so the Roman executioners went to break the legs of the crucified alongside him to hasten their deaths. They discovered that Jesus had already died, so his legs were left unbroken.

Mark Krause; Nebraska Christian College