One of the great symbols of Easter is the cross. Have you ever thought, why the cross? Why is the cross a symbol of Easter? Well, the reason is because the cross points to the death of Jesus Christ. In fact, the death of Jesus Christ is the focal point of the Bible. The Old Testament foreshadowed the death of Jesus Christ; the gospels proclaim the death of Jesus Christ; and the epistles affirm the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ came into this world to die upon a cross. As the Bible says, “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life” (Matthew 20:28). Why did Jesus die upon a cross? First, Jesus died as our substitute. Jesus died in our place. As the Bible says, “Jesus Christ suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18). Second, Jesus died as our sin bearer. As the Bible says, “Jesus Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree (cross)…by whose strips you were healed” (1 Peter 2:24). Third, Jesus died as our Saviour and deliver. As the Bible says, “And she shall bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
The symbol of the cross tells us that Jesus died for our sins in order to bring us to God. This is the Easter message. Jesus Christ has reconciled us to God through His death, burial, and resurrection. The reason we have the Easter break is to celebrate this wonderful truth. Take time this Easter to celebrate what Jesus has done for you.