Cross of the Christ - Removing The Fog of Religion

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Cross of the Christ

Emails & Questions
 
The Cross of Christ:

Q: DID YAHSHUA DIE " ON THE CROSS" OR " ON THE STAKE"?

A: Taking this as a serious question:  Some say it was a "stake" while
others argue it was a "tree" -- The Roman cross was actually more like
an X but for greater torment and quicker deaths they used "poles" or
"stakes" of a singular nature, seldom with a cross member in the shape
of a T. It would have been a great waste of wood to use the T type and
for what?  The Stake or single Pole was actually more effective and much
simpler than constructing a T cross that would not fall apart from the
weight of a man.  To shed even more light on this, look at how many
nails the Romans used -- one for both hands and one for the feet -- The
Romans were every efficient in the art of killing -- why use two nails
when all you need is one, and if only one nail, as in the feet, then the
hands would have been positioned over the head of the victim and then
the single Nail, spike, actually, would be driven through
There are some that say the origin of the Tee Cross came about as an object of
Worship.  The “T” representing the human god, Tammuz. 

(Eze 8:13)   He said also unto me, Turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations that they do.  Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the LORD'S (YHWH’s) house which was toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz.
 
When did the symbol of a “T” become known a cross is anybody’s guess.  Some of the medieval churches were built on this symbolic shape as well.  The Greek Orthodox Church has a very elaborate “T” style cross the priests wear and is used in services.   Is this “T” cross a symbol for the child god Tammuz?  Some say it is some say it isn’t and some say it does not matter.   The world does what the world does.
 
We have all seen people wearing this symbol of our Lord’s death, from gangsters to those professing their holiness.  Used as an object of worship or as a symbol of one's devotion, as a reminder that our Lord paid the ultimate price for us?  I cannot judge in this matter other than what the word says -- in the New Covenant we find many references to the Cross of the Christ, not as something to be worshiped but as a reminder, as a way to walk as strangers in the wilderness
.
(Mat 10:38)  And he that takes not his cross, and follows after me, is not worthy of me.
 
Our lord made reference to a “cross” before He would be hung on one.  In the Greek language this word is a “stake” or “pole”, not a "T" cross, but in His remard the shape was not at issue.  YaHshua was saying you  must be willing to take on the suffering that He did, an outcast, abandoned by His friends and then death.  This we too must be willing to do.  Think about it, think about how Abraham left the comfort of his own home and familiar family and friends, all for a promise of something in the far off future.  Think of how those who took up the Cross of the Christ have suffered, many to die horrible death but remaining true to the one they confessed to be Savior, the author of their Salvation, YaHshua. 

 We live in a time between times, if you live in one of the modern Western societies, mostly because much of the West does not care about religion.  In other places to be a Christian is a real challeng -  you must be willing to die and you may be confronted with that very thing.  What does taking up your “cross” mean to you.  It is not the literal taking up a log or pole and dragging it around but the willingness to virtually give up everything to be His disciple.  

From this verse we know the “cross”, or the torture stake was recognized as an extreme way of death and from YaHshua's words we know this method of death was common, but it was not the death on a stake He was talking about.  Read it again, He is talking about taking a load and bearing up under a heavy weight even unto death, but the prime meaning was not that we seek death but that we may have a hard road to travel if we follow him.  Few would be completely comfortable with this and many turned from Him at the first opportunity.   At one point all of His followers abandoned him all but the original 12.  Why did they leave?  I believe it was a building up of hard teachings and finally He laid out the one that broke their backs.  YaHshua began to teach that He was the real food we need, that He is the bread of life.  Right after this teaching that He was the real manna from Heaven, this happened -- 

John 6:65-69  And He said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted Him by the Father." 
When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?"

 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him. 

So YaHshua said to the Twelve, "Do you want to go away as well?"

Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God."

Amazing, only the twelve remained.  
 
(1Co 1:18)  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God
 
What is the “preaching of the Cross”?  It is the death and resurrection of our Lord for our sins.  By the Power of God the Father our Lord was brought back to life on the third day making plain the New Covenant by His blood to cover our sins now and forever.  A promise of new life after death – which is foolishness to the world but life and truth to us and for us.  

dan@servantsofyahshua.com

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