As Christians, we are familiar with the symbolism of the cross. But I was recently challenged to look at it through a historical lens and I saw a beauty I had not considered before.

Every historian will tell you crucifixion was the most brutal kind of death by torture. It was also meant to inflict great shame and disgrace. Reserved for the worst criminals, it was a clear warning to anyone who dared to go against Roman authority.

So think about this with me: If Romans could time travel to our day and see how people hang crosses on walls, print them on t-shirts and mugs, or even tattoo them on themselves, they might be appalled. The cross was undoubtedly a symbol of torture to Roman society.

A true paradox.

In considering this, I had to ask myself, would they then be curious and in awe?

The only reason we glorify the cross is because of what it now represents.

“For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved” (1 Corinthians 1:18). In other words, God intentionally chose something unorthodox to shatter people’s perception. “Where is the philosopher who understands? Where is the expert scholar who comprehends? And where is the skilled debater of our time who could win a debate with God? Hasn’t God demonstrated that the wisdom of this world system is utter foolishness” (1 Corinthians 1:20 TPT)?

Jesus became our Passover Lamb. His death was our Passover; revealing His resurrection as our Exodus. This is what we understand when we look at the wondrous, beautiful cross of Christ. But others of the time didn’t see nor comprehend this at all.

And that’s why the cross is also scandalous.

“For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of what is preached. For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles” (1 Corinthians 1:21-23).

Interestingly, the phrase stumbling block in the Greek is the word skandalon, where we get our word scandalous. To celebrate and glorify One who died on a cross was scandalous– disgraceful, offensive, outrageous. Yet, this was God’s chosen method of salvation. “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense: and whoever believes on Him shall not be ashamed” (Romans 9:33).

The truth.

In short, those who have put their faith in Jesus can unashamedly say, “The message of the cross is… the very power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18 NLT). I would gladly tell any time-traveling Roman (Jew or Gentile) why the cross of Christ means so much to me. It was scandalous and it still offends, “Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God, because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger [far more powerful] than human strength” (1 Corinthians 1:24-25).

Scandalous and wondrous. Absurd and yet beautifully wise.

Through the cross, everything in heaven and earth was brought back to God– back to its original intent (Colossians 1:20). Jesus “endured the cross, despised the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” so we keep looking at Him (Hebrews 12:2). For this is the way God chose to reveal His love for us: giving us His only Son.

I pray the cross will be a continual reminder of the dramatic way God chose to disrupt hell and fill heaven.