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| Post # 66 by botolphus on Friday, August 28th, 2009, 10:25 AM Hi! I'm new on the site, so please be gentle ;) I have discovered something in the bible that just doesn't seem to fit. It doesn't. But please share your view in the matter and enlighten me :) In the new testament Jesus clearly say:"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (from Luke 9:23) Take up his cross daily? When did the cross become a holy symbol and not only a tool of execution? The crosses symbolic wasn't that positive in those days... I can with quite good confidence say that it was not before the death and resurrection of our christ. It is the symbol of Jesus victory over death. But still, those words are there. Are Matthew, and Luke not citing Jesus correctly? Then what can we trust to be the exact words of Jesus? Some people answer that Jesus must have known it would become the greatest symbol. But why would he use that phrase? Who would understand what "take up his cross" meant? That does not seem likely to me, as the bible also clearly says that you should not use language that no one understand (1 cor. 14:9) References: Luk. 9:23 and 14:27 Matt. 10:38 | |
| Post # 69 by markbredt on Thursday, March 11th, 2010, 10:17 PM botolphus -- In first century Jerusalem crucifixion was a common practice. Part of the process was the carrying of the cross to the site by the victim. Jesus used this term to acknowledge the pain and suffering that must be endured to follow him. It was also a foreshadowing (or prophecy, if one prefers) of his and several of the disciple's future. The cross as a symbolic designation of Christianity evolved in the early formation of the church, certainly within the life span of the Gospel authors. Perhaps within 70 years of the crucifixion. It was often used as a symbol of recognition when the speaking of the name, Jesus, was forbidden in many public settings. | |
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