People like the cross because it is a unique symbol, which is fine. However, it would have never occurred to early Christians. What I always come back to is the question: why would the Romans add a crossbar? Maybe I am missing something, but I cannot think of a reason. The Romans were notoriously cheap and I just can't see them using the effort.
You probably know this and who has time, but the Viking area, which received Christianity early, they would often talk of being nailed to the "Rood" or a "Tree". You can still see this in folk songs far later. That's often made me wonder if the original cross was a pole or a T. Either seems quite plausible, though as you say, if you're going quick and easy, a pole is fine and was used. It would seem from the description of the nailing and the spear etc, that perhaps as INRI, he got the full cross, who knows?
Though Jesus carried his pole, criminals were frequently hung on stakes that others carried and planted. Some were left planted in the ground and reused, the victims simply pulled up and nailed onto them.
Jesus didn't carry his pole by himself. Simon from Cyrene helped him.
Hi Gary, I am currently working my way through Luke and had been wrestling with this for a couple of days - why would Jesus ask people to take up their crosses before He had taken up His, they would have no understanding! When I realised Stauros in the Greek meant a stake, and that this completely then ties in with the previous verses about being prepared to love God above all family I was at peace. I found your article whist trying to explore whether I was barking up the wrong tree, or stake! Thank you so much, William.
Certainly the words translated as "heaven" (the skies) may. Cross work on many symbolic levels, but more with the current version of Christianity that what early Christians did.
It is difficult for people to relinquish that which was instilled in developing years and as a consequence the ultimate reality of truth eludes them; even if it is presented in the simplest of forms. It is a form of cognitive lockdown; hence one becomes chained to a lie.
Thank you for the lesson. As simple as your teaching is, it is life changing. May the Father bless you and yours, BeHaShem Yeshua HaMaschiach.
People like the cross because it is a unique symbol, which is fine. However, it would have never occurred to early Christians. What I always come back to is the question: why would the Romans add a crossbar? Maybe I am missing something, but I cannot think of a reason. The Romans were notoriously cheap and I just can't see them using the effort.
You probably know this and who has time, but the Viking area, which received Christianity early, they would often talk of being nailed to the "Rood" or a "Tree". You can still see this in folk songs far later. That's often made me wonder if the original cross was a pole or a T. Either seems quite plausible, though as you say, if you're going quick and easy, a pole is fine and was used. It would seem from the description of the nailing and the spear etc, that perhaps as INRI, he got the full cross, who knows?
Loved your post!💕
Though Jesus carried his pole, criminals were frequently hung on stakes that others carried and planted. Some were left planted in the ground and reused, the victims simply pulled up and nailed onto them.
Jesus didn't carry his pole by himself. Simon from Cyrene helped him.
Exactly. However, I cannot find any reference in the Bible to Jesus carrying the cross at all. Gary
John 19:17...but there are so many different translations a lot of the heart of the message gets lost. Why i really enjoyed your post. Great job!💕
Hi Gary, I am currently working my way through Luke and had been wrestling with this for a couple of days - why would Jesus ask people to take up their crosses before He had taken up His, they would have no understanding! When I realised Stauros in the Greek meant a stake, and that this completely then ties in with the previous verses about being prepared to love God above all family I was at peace. I found your article whist trying to explore whether I was barking up the wrong tree, or stake! Thank you so much, William.
Glad you found the work. Poor translation makes it too easy to criticize Jesus. He is much sharper than he appears in the Bible. Gary
The « cross » symbol and word is more meaningful and make more sense in Astrotheology :-)
Certainly the words translated as "heaven" (the skies) may. Cross work on many symbolic levels, but more with the current version of Christianity that what early Christians did.
It is difficult for people to relinquish that which was instilled in developing years and as a consequence the ultimate reality of truth eludes them; even if it is presented in the simplest of forms. It is a form of cognitive lockdown; hence one becomes chained to a lie.
Thank you for the lesson. As simple as your teaching is, it is life changing. May the Father bless you and yours, BeHaShem Yeshua HaMaschiach.
I appreciate this greatly and this interpretation speaks to me much better. Thank you so much for putting so much work into this!
Very interesting; I will have to ponder this. thanks.