Why do Christians wear the cross?

Question

If my father was killed by a gun, I certainly would not wear a gun around my neck...

Tell me the significance of the cross, please.

Answer 1

i would, like a cool machine gun or hey a grenade launcher

Answer 2

You are making a good point. Personally I don't agree with wearing a cross, but coming from experience with those who do and feel strongly about it, the main reason is that it's a symbol. The cross has become a symbol of Christianity. Sometimes people wear it for protection, kind of like a charm. Other times it is worn as a reminder of Jesus' sacrifice. What's interesting to note is that the cross has pagan origins, and that it is more likely that Jesus died on simple pole or stake, not a cross.

Answer 3

Well, I told my Pastor that I wear a cross "because those broad phylacteries are sooooo 1st century Dude!". :o)

Matthew 23:2 "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, 3 so practice and observe whatever they tell you--but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues 7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.

Then I went on to say "Yeah, they work in all situations. Church women think that you're all holy and if you run into a pagan girl just tell her that you got it at an Oz fest!"

He thought it was funny and so do other people I tell that to. But in reality I wear it so that when I'm out and about if people notice that I'm more gracious and patient and generous than the ordinary person they might see that I'm wearing a cross and think "Wow, this guy must be a Christian" and it is a form of silent witnessing for Jesus.

As to your analogy between a cross and a gun I don't wear a crucifix. The cross around my neck is bare signifying that my Lord laid down his life to pay for my sins but He was raised from the dead 3 days later and is now in Heaven preparing a place for me and all of my brothers and sisters in Christ. Here's what Jesus told his disciples right before He allowed himself to be arrested and hauled off to the crucifixtion.

John 14:1 "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

Answer 4

I like what Lenny Bruce said about this. "If Jesus had been executed in this country 20 years ago, would christians wear little electric chairs around their necks?" He may have worded it slightly differently, but that was the jist of it.

Bill Hicks commented that the last thing Jesus will want to see when he comes back is a crucifix. He said it would be like going up to Jackie O. with a sniper rifle pendant on and saying, "Just thinking of John."

Answer 5

We wear a cross as a reminder of the great sacrifice of Jesus. It reminds us of the suffering that should have been ours that he took upon himself. And we don't (or at least shouldn't, I can't speak for everyone) hold hard feelings against the ones who actually crucified Jesus because we feel that it was our sins that caused his death. So that would be the difference in wearing a gun around your neck. And the cross is a symbol of forgiveness for our sins. Because after Jesus rose from the grave he took his blood that he shed there and placed it on the mercy seat in heaven for forgiveness of our sins!

Answer 6

True Christians do not wear the cross. The cross is a pagan symbol that predates Christianity by thousands of years. Followers of Christ do not need a physical symbol to remind them of what He went through for them. As 2 Cor. 5:7 says: "for we are walking by faith, not by sight."

And besides, wearing a likeness of the object of someone's execution is morbid.

Answer 7

Most of the time they wear a cross that's empty symbolizing the resurrection of Christ and the fact that he's not on the cross or in the tomb anymore.
I understand what you are saying though. Historically, a cross is the most vivid reminder of torture and one of the worst ways to die. We have to pretty them up by making them out of gold and placing diamonds on them.

Answer 8

For many different reasons. And, some Christians DON'T wear a cross for many different reasons.

The significance of the cross is as a symbol of unity and belief.

Answer 9

There is a difference between wearing a cross and wearing a crucifix. Personally, I don't believe in wearing such things, especially a crucifix. I don't need a physical image to remind me of what Christ did for me, and it's my life that is the testimony to other people, not a piece of jewelry.

Answer 10

It's the symbol Constantine and his soldiers used as they went to battle. Constantine believed that the Christian God is why he won the battle so Christianity was made the law of the land and all heretics (non-believers) were tortured and killed. And they call it a peaceful religion!
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Answer 11

My father was also killed by Military guns,,,and I still wear the cross that my Saviour bore for us.