it is a symbol of suffering and pain - but jesus message, as far as i understand, is love. why are we christian so attached to the thoughts of suffering and pain anyway? life is full of good things and what life teached me so far is: look at the bright side, otherwise you will be depressed most of the day. is it because we love to dwell in sadness?
216823
No, it's because the cross is the symbol of victory, where Jesus overcame. It helps me remember what He did for me.
387470
Jesus represents the human self we "put on" when we became afraid in the Garden (a symbol of our perfect state of being); we fell into sleep, but nowhere does it say we woke up.  \n\nThe Christ is our true Self (not a representation, but the actual Self); that is why it doesn't make sense that Jesus seems the only one who is truly loved, while the rest of us must do something, or make a choice (which is hardly a real choice), before God will include us in His exclusive club.  \n\nThe whole concept is twisted; was redone to suit the kings and the clergy in the old days, in order to control the masses.
321838
Because God has a cruel sense of humor and likes watching us strave, suffer, and die in torture. Makes life seem meaningless more by the day doesn't it? Though their theory seems to be. We make our lives what it is... (even though I don't see how we choose for other people to kill us, abuse us, or anything.)  Which I suppose means anything that comes your way... you can either Accept it and be hurt... or Deal with it, do something about, and Hope you come out above everything.
585879
This is one of the great teachings of Jesus.\nIf the word is not hate, it would have had to be just as strong due to the fact that one of our biggest obstacle to our spiritual freedom are exactly the ties and transgenerational heritage that binds us away from understanding the nature of Christ.\n\nIt is all about freedom and is one of the major teaching that created a Chasm between the Jews at the time...\n\nIt is not about Good and Bad nor a perspective to neglect Love yet binding love, love that is attached, love that is barthered with social behaviors that we must adhere to in order to emancipate and live the Christic message is simply not Love.\n\nHowever again, the word hate must have been used due to it's power and to convey clearly the message.... Yet it might be worth contemplating it in terms of Freedom from bondage Freedom to Love and Love out of Freedom.\n\nHate as define now in dictionnaries, can only take us away from facing who we are and gives credence to that which we actually want to leave. In other word, Hate (defined in our current language) and Attachement (family binding ties called Love) are the same.  A strong message of detachement and seperation and becoming Free should, in my view, be part of the meanings that Accompany your biblical version of the word Hate.\n\nWhen we live in Freedom with Love, than we as a human being contribute to humanity and create a space of innovation... Our UNTIED family will benefit a lot more than attached ties.\n\nHope it was useful !\n\n\n----\n\nTy,\n\nI just read you comments. I don't know what you mean by adapting the scriptures to my lifestyle but that is not for me to find out right now...  To beleive that there is no nuances in the writing would make it somewhat an incoherent book. It is not a how to do manual for me as much as a scripture which can lead me to unfold and understand myself.\n\nThe point you brought out is one of the most interesting teaching of Jesus Christ. According to me, it is the one that demand deeply personal reflections and certainly not a doctrinal anlge to it as most teachers that interpret this teaching are in contradiction with themselves. \n\nI took the context, the translation realities, the timing and the situation into accound before laying down the comment.
18006
For me it is a sign of spiritual growth.  Forgiveness means that in your heart you are showing love for someone who has weakness, just as we all do.  It's not holding a grudge or hating them for what they did to you.  It's understanding that we all fail or make mistakes at times, and that none of us are perfect.  It's understanding that in order to receive forgiveness, we must give it.
405577
I see this poem as a heart felt poem with a lot of deep sorrow, If this is your life experience I am very sorry that this has happened to you.\nLoosing a child can be very painful, which I'm sure it would be for you if this is what happened, for you but I would also like to say to you that the true and Almighty God is aware of and feeling your pain in compassion and that is also the reason for his promise, many people who have gone or are going through a similar experience, and asking why?This promise I just spoke of is found in Revelation Ch21:verse4)and it is a very heartwarming one where God promises to wipe away every tear from mankind's eyes, and that he will actually swallow up death, mourning and sorrow,and pain will be no more.The dead will be resurrected to life again becoming conscious again, is this not a wonder full promise from a very loving God, who cares very deeply for us, and our pains even past experiences will have gone from our minds, and the ones that caused those pains will be punished, so any who have perpetrated pain to others, will be dealt with justly
70366
the "these are wounds of love" is imply the crusifiction (I can't spell, sorry) of Christ, in which he died for our sins, and therefore the wounds are that of the love he felt for Gods people...or twist that around so it makes sense :)
227083
Why is there a cross? Well, it is a visual reminder each time I see it that Jesus carried my sins on the cross. (1 Peter 2:24) We know what love is because Jesus gave up His life for us on the cross. (1 John 3:16) His death on the cross was part of God's plan for our redemption. ( 1 Peter 1:20) Jesus was willing to die for OUR SIN. (Matt 26:53-54) He is perfect. ( Heb 7:25-26, 1 Peter 2:22) He died on the cross so I could be free. (Rom 6:6, Rom 6:18)When He died on the cross, Jesus said " It is finished" ( john 19:30) the actual word He used means "It is paid for." Our sins were paid for. When Christ rose from the dead, our sin remained buried. Since Jesus is risen, we can share in His glory! (Coll 1:22, Rom 3:22) The cross, once a symbol of torture and shame, is now a symbol of the victory of Christ! ( Heb 12:2) If you place your trust in Jesus, He will be your salvation. (John 14:1,23) Nothing can separate us from God's love. (Rom 8:39) He is with us always, even unto the end of time. (Rom 8:38, Matt 28:20)\n\nI wear a cross to remind me of what my Lord and Savior did for me. I recall His sacrifice and thank Him for loving me. I wear my cross as I follow Him.
23578
Well for a Christian this simply means that the Long awaited Days of Total Peace and Joy and the end of all sorrows is comming soon. They will get to be with Jesus their savior. The one who they live their lives here on earth for. Kinda like Stepping out of a Filthy nasty sewer that they have been trapped in forever and into clean fresh running water never to see or smell the sewer again.
311820
I have a cross on my wrist. I chose this location because Christ was crucified through the wrists. I got it to remind me of how much he suffered for me, to keep my faith strong, and to remember to keep sight of my morals when I make a decision that will affect my (or someone else's) life.
279604
I think you are going to get some very long answers. I hope they all help you.\n\nThe common phrase used for what you are feeling is a "crisis of faith". FYI, both the approved gospels and the non-approved (gnostic) gospels are full of examples of Jesus himself experiencing the same thing.\n\nA similar doubt is often found when inquiring about the state of mind of heroes/soldiers before they embark on their journey/challenge. Rather than being fearless, many recall being very scared and even doubtful.\n\nThe thing is, "crisis of faith" is normal and shows a healthy mind. It is certainly not a sin, or a sign that someone is less worthy.\n\nWhat it often shows is that a person needs to consider further and broader study- to reach out and see the deeper history of their particular religion, rather than the potentially narrower spectrum from which they were raised.\n\nAgain, this is the archetypal hero story- leaving, or being banished into the wilderness, to find yourself and what life means to you, to then come back to help save your community.\n\nI think Jesus did that a couple of times (we know about) as well. All the best on your journey.
265918
It is of great significance that His cross was a tree. God had said that anyone who hung on a tree was cursed. In Jesus being hung on a tree we see Him taking the curse we deserve and freeing us from the curse and its punishment.
449142
This life's struggles seem  to be "not worth it".\n\nA struggle within to reconcile the goodness of God with the visceral images of death and hate and disease all around us.\n\nThe wish to be able to live as a child all you life and escape the madness of people and their agendas.\n\nLacking that, let's just die.
362776
I think they are symbolizing any time you stand up for what you believe in and people disagree with you.  They're not ready to make nice - they're not ready to forgive and forget.  They say that forgiving sounds nice but they don't think the can forget.  And then they illustrate why - why would someone tell them to shut up and sing or else???  That's in the lyrics of the song.  They're not ready to suck it up and go on.  They feel hurt, and they're going to keep on feeling hurt.
6056
I am truly so sorry that you are having these experiences. You certainly have been given a burden to bear.\n\nYour Mother was correct......as far as she went.  However, she like many people, didn't go far enough.\n\nWe have prisons, mental hospitals , and many other places full of people that were given more than they could bear.\n\nBut please, do not think this is a message of doom and gloom. It is not.  It is a message of Hope, Strength and Experience.\n\nYou Mothers saying, as it should be is.....\n\nGod will never give you more than you can bear in a day, IF you share your burden with Him!  For NO BURDEN is too heavy for Him to carry.\n\nAgain, I am truly sorry you are going through this.  I wish the Love and Light of God to shine upon you.
181206
Good question.\nThe late, great Bill Hicks asked the same question - "if Jesus comes back, do you think he ever wants to see another cross? Would you go up to Jackie Kennedy wearing a rifle pendant?"\nI'm being flippant (before everyone starts having a go....) but it is interesting. From an athiests pov (and I admit, I'm probably not best placed to answer this) I would say it is remembering his death, which was fundamental to christian religion. I'm not sure what symbol you could use to represent Jesus's life.
124538
There is nothing sadder than someone thinking that their or someone else's suffering is part of "god's plan." Don't live like this people. Don't think that eventually some god is going to make everything better. Make your life great on your own. Don't rely on help from a god. Do everything you can to make your life and those you know and love better. Then you will be happy. You don't have to go on suffering because you think some god out there is testing you or will eventually make it better.\n\nI live without a god. I make my own success and happiness. I live without thinking I can get help from above. It is a great, liverating feeling.