The cross

[morningstar2651]

Does anyone find it offensive that people wear crosses as jewelry?

If I were Jesus, the last thing I'd want to see would be ANOTHER cross.

 

[Nikoel]

I'm not sure how I see it as offensive, seeing as it is symbolic of one of the most beautiful things done for man.

However, I do see where it could be a bit much to one who doesn't see it as a sacrifice

 

[LiberatedChick]

I wear a cross all the time and I don't see anything wrong with it. It's a reminder to me that God is with me and of Jesus' sacrifice for us. It also keeps me in check to some extent...if I'm wearing a cross I'm therefore displaying my faith so if I'm going to wear a Christian symbol I better act like a Christian lol. What bugs me is non-believers wearing crosses, to them it's just another piece of jewellery and so whilst the symbol round there neck says to folks "I'm a Christian" there actions are sometimes far from it.

 

[Rafael]

Jesus will wear the scars on His hands, feet, and side for eternity. They may be the only reminder of what He did for us in eternity after the New heavens and earth are completed.
We take the cup representing the blood shed by Him for us and the broken striped unleavened bread that is symbolic of the stripes He received instead of us for our sinfulness as a race of beings.
The empty cross symbolizes the resurrection to new life and freedom from sin and death's enslavement. It is a joyous remembrance to those who are redeemed by His sacrifice. Someday they will all sing their praise to Him with His favorite song - the song of the Redeemed.

 

[GodAtWorkToday]

What I don't like to see is crosses with Jesus still on them. Jesus died once for all and it is a completed work. The cross is now empty as is the tomb.
An empty cross however is a great symbol of what Jesus did for us and that He is now risen and lives forever.

 

[sinner/SAVED]

An empty cross is a symbol of our salvation. A crucifix is a symbol of the suffering that Jesus willingly endured for us.

 

[Colabomb]

Does anyone find it offensive that people wear crosses as jewelry?

If I were Jesus, the last thing I'd want to see would be ANOTHER cross.

Understand that to us, the Cross is a symbol of His Love and Mercy.

It's not like Jesus got trapped and they Killed Him. He came to earth deliberately to Give His Life on the Cross and to Rise on the Third Day.

His Sacrifice on the Cross is the Atonement for our sins!

 

[Daedalus]

What I don't like to see is crosses with Jesus still on them. Jesus died once for all and it is a completed work. The cross is now empty as is the tomb.
An empty cross however is a great symbol of what Jesus did for us and that He is now risen and lives forever.

Yes, sure, some christians wear crosses with Jesus still in them (or paint icons) for almost 2000 years, and you the great teologian ban it overnight.
Actually all the crosses are empty; and also it's obvious Jesus couldn't have died twice -- just so because I hate the common expressions such as "died one for all" and "once saved always saved".
The fact Jesus is still on the cross, just as someone else said reminds us of the sacrifice AND that we should also carry our own crosses just as Jesus said.

 

[GodAtWorkToday]

and you the great teologian

I know it was satirical, but you honour me way beyond my abilities. I make no claims to being a theologian. I simply use the resources that are open to all (great programs like E-Sword, a Thompson-Chain reference, and Strong's concordance).

One thing I do try to do though, is ignore Church culture, and try to see what the Word, says on it's own authority. That probably means I will step on a lot of 'doctrinal' toes.

However, either our pet doctrines have the support of Scripture or they do not. It's not for me to say, but I pray that we would all be open to what the God's Word declares and modify our behaviour accordingly.

 

[Brother Charlie]

If I were Jesus, the last thing I'd want to see would be ANOTHER cross.

The cross and the crucifix are glorious things. It symbolizes God's triumph over sin and Satan and his great love for us for which he endured death

 

[BlessedVegan]

I like starelda's comment..I kinda do the same thing. If I start to get irritated with customers at work (Walmart during Christmas is not a cheery place to be) I just touch my cross and remember the hardship Jesus put up with. I also remember how we are to love other people, even when they mistreat us. Not to say I'm perfect at it, but it helps keep me a little more patient with people.

 

[Gary B]

Does anyone find it offensive that people wear crosses as jewelry?

If I were Jesus, the last thing I'd want to see would be ANOTHER cross.

I find it interesting that unbelievers seem to be quite offended by the Cross! So much so that they would like the Cross to go away or be replaced by other (not so offensive) symbols...

You can have all kinds of symbols representing Jesus and His sacrifice on the Cross. (ie, fish symbol) but it seems like the Cross is the ONE symbol that seems to offend unbelievers the most...

The reason I say that is when the Passion came out. People were selling "Nails' as the symbol or reminder of Jesus' sufferings on the Cross. Some quite large, some to hang on walls, some to wear but Jesus didn't give his life for our atonement on the Nail so of course that wouldn't be offensive...

However just wearing a bit of jewelry (a cross) doesn't make someone saved. Some just like crosses.

 

[coreXian]

As a symbol, yes, it makes an amazing statement of what was done for us. But I think what the OP meant is we're wearing the ancient equivalent of an electric chair. Many died that way before and after Jesus, though He was the only One that was completely innocent. The OP's perspective is worth considering . . .

 

[pro_odeh]

Yes, but we wear it to remind us what Jesus did for us. I think Jesus would love that we wore something that reminded us on his sacrifice.. Even if it was a cross..
God bless!

 

[NOTW]

Does anyone find it offensive that people wear crosses as jewelry?

If I were Jesus, the last thing I'd want to see would be ANOTHER cross.

Dear morningstar2651,

Wearing crosses as jewelry is not offensive at all. It is the christian symbol that Jesus had died on the cross for all of us.
So, how can this be offensive?

 

[Paul_Wright_luvr]

i have a ring that has crosses all over it that i wear all the time and i also have several pares of cross earings and cross neclasses. the way i see it, i wear it to remind me what Jesus did for me. it is like wearing a WWJD? braclet

 

[pro_odeh]

 

[TheMainException]

The cross is a reminder of Jesus and since he no longer on it...it is a sign of our redemption. For those who do not wear it for the reason of Christ...I don't believe that others should wear it if they don't understand the meaning behind it. If it is simply a piece of "fashionable jewelry" then leave it in the store. That's my take.

 

[shadowed_eyes]

I wear a crucifix, and have done for months. It is a strange story as to how i came ot buy it. I was battling with the issue of whether to give up paganism and follow the God that made my bf so unbelievably happy and whole. i went to the jewellry shop with my mother who was going to get her ring refitted, when this panel of crossesand crucifixes stared out at me. I had always told myself that i would never wear one unless i believed because that would be demoralising the symbol. But on that day, it was as if everything fell into place and i went in and bought it and became a christian only a few days after. Since then it has never left my neck.

I think that both crosses and crucifixes alike are beautiful symbols of what God did for us - sending down his only son to die for us. The cros to me symbolises that Jesus will come back all glorified and powerful, the crucifix reminds me of the sacrifice he made for us and the cost of our sins. If Jesus didnt want his death to be remembered, he wouldnt have been sent. His death is omething that we should never forget and it is one of the most beautiful things anyone has ever done. The cross/crucifix reminds us of this... or at least, it reminds ME of this.

 

[pro_odeh]

A beutiful testimony shadowed_eyes! God bless you!