Wearing a cross is a visible symbol of faith for many Christians, but you may wonder if the Bible has anything specific to say about this practice. Is wearing a cross encouraged, or is it more about the heart behind it? We’ll explore the meaning of symbols in the Bible and how wearing a cross fits into expressing one’s faith.
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What Does The Bible Say About wearing a cross
Matthew 16:24
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
This verse underscores the act of surrender as a central aspect of discipleship. Surrendering to Christ requires self-denial, an intentional choice to put aside our own desires, ambitions, and plans.
Taking up the cross symbolizes embracing the challenges and sacrifices that may come with following Jesus. This verse highlights that surrender is not passive but involves actively choosing to follow Christ, even when it requires personal sacrifice.
Matthew 10:38
“And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”
This verse emphasizes the necessity of taking up our cross and following Jesus in order to be considered worthy of Him. It speaks to the commitment and dedication required to be a true disciple of Christ.
By wearing a cross, we visually represent our willingness to identify with Jesus and His teachings. It serves as a reminder of the sacrifice He made on the cross for our salvation and serves as a symbol of our own commitment to follow Him wholeheartedly.
Luke 9:23
“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
This verse emphasizes the daily nature of taking up our cross and following Jesus. It highlights the ongoing commitment and surrender that is required to live a life dedicated to Christ.
Wearing a cross can serve as a practical reminder to daily deny ourselves and align our lives with the teachings and example of Jesus. It serves as a visible symbol of our commitment to live out our faith on a daily basis.
Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
This verse expresses the transformative power of the cross in the life of a believer. It speaks to the crucifixion of our old selves and the new life we receive through Christ.
Wearing a cross can serve as a personal declaration of this truth. It represents our identification with Christ, His death, and His resurrection, and serves as a reminder that we now live by faith in Him.
1 Peter 2:24
“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”
This verse highlights the redemptive power of the cross. It portrays Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb who took our sins upon Himself, leading us to die to sin and live a righteous life.
Wearing a cross can serve as a visual representation of this truth. It reminds us of the healing and forgiveness we have received through Christ’s sacrificial act on the cross.
Philippians 3:18
“For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.”
This verse exposes the reality that there are those who oppose and reject the message of the cross. It speaks to the spiritual battle between the forces of darkness and the truth of the cross.
By wearing a cross, we boldly align ourselves with the message of the cross and declare our allegiance to Christ, even in the face of opposition. It serves as a symbol of our commitment to stand firm in our faith.
Colossians 2:14
“Having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.”
This verse highlights the power of the cross in canceling our debts and setting us free from condemnation. It speaks to the atoning work of Jesus on the cross, where He paid the price for our sins.
Wearing a cross can serve as a powerful reminder of the forgiveness and freedom we have received through Christ’s sacrificial act. It symbolizes our liberation from the burden of sin and our new life in Him.
Ephesians 2:16
“And in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.”
This verse emphasizes the reconciling power of the cross. It speaks to how Jesus, through His death on the cross, brought reconciliation between God and humanity, breaking down the walls of hostility.
By wearing a cross, we proclaim that we are part of the body of Christ and participants in the message of reconciliation. It serves as a reminder of our role in extending God’s love and forgiveness to others.
John 12:32
“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
This verse speaks of Jesus’ crucifixion and the drawing power of the cross. It portrays the cross as a unifying force that attracts people and offers salvation to all who believe.
Wearing a cross can serve as a symbol of the inclusive nature of God’s love and the invitation for all to come to Jesus. It serves as a reminder of His sacrifice and our mission to share the message of salvation with the world.
1 Corinthians 1:18
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
This verse contrasts the perception of the cross between those who are perishing and those who are being saved. It highlights that what may seem foolish or insignificant to the world holds the power and wisdom of God.
Wearing a cross can serve as a reminder that our faith may appear foolish to some, but it carries the life-transforming power of God. It symbolizes our trust in the divine wisdom and salvation found in the message of the cross.
Hebrews 12:2
“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
This verse highlights Jesus as the ultimate example of enduring the cross and its shame for the greater joy set before Him. It portrays Him as the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.
Wearing a cross can serve as a constant reminder to fix our eyes on Jesus and His sacrificial love. It represents our desire to follow in His footsteps, enduring hardships and looking forward to the eternal joy that awaits us.
Romans 6:6
“For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.”
This verse speaks to the crucifixion of our old self through Christ’s death on the cross. It signifies our liberation from the power of sin and our ability to live a new life in Him.
Wearing a cross can serve as a symbolic representation of our identification with Christ’s crucifixion of our old self. It reminds us that we are no longer bound by sin but are empowered to live a life of righteousness through Him.
2 Corinthians 5:21
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
This verse highlights the great exchange that took place on the cross. Jesus, who was sinless, took upon Himself our sin so that we could be reconciled to God and receive His righteousness.
Wearing a cross can serve as a constant reminder that we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ. It represents the immeasurable love and grace of God, displayed through the cross, that transforms us into His righteous children.
Mark 10:21
“Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
This verse recounts the interaction between Jesus and the rich young ruler. Jesus challenged him to surrender his worldly possessions and follow Him completely, placing his trust in God’s provision.
Wearing a cross can serve as a reminder of the call to wholeheartedly follow Jesus, prioritizing Him above material possessions. It symbolizes our willingness to let go of worldly attachments and trust in God’s abundant provision.
Philippians 3:10
“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”
This verse reflects the desire of the Apostle Paul to intimately know Christ, including both the power of His resurrection and the fellowship in His sufferings. It speaks of embracing the transformative journey of becoming like Christ, even in His death.
Wearing a cross can serve as a personal declaration of our desire to know Christ deeply. It represents our willingness to participate in His sufferings and identify with His sacrificial love.
1 Corinthians 2:2
“For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”
This verse expresses the Apostle Paul’s unwavering focus on proclaiming Jesus Christ and His crucifixion. It demonstrates the centrality of the cross in his preaching and teaching.
Wearing a cross can serve as a reminder of the importance of the cross in our faith. It symbolizes our commitment to keep Jesus Christ and His sacrifice at the forefront of our lives and ministries.
Isaiah 53:5
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds, we are healed.”
This verse prophesies the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. It speaks of the redemptive power and healing that comes through His wounds.
Wearing a cross can serve as a powerful reminder of the price Jesus paid for our salvation. It represents the healing and peace we can find in His sacrificial act on the cross.
Matthew 26:39
“Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.'”
This verse portrays Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He willingly submitted to God’s will even in the face of His impending crucifixion. It demonstrates His obedience and surrender to the Father.
Wearing a cross can serve as a reminder of the surrendered life we are called to live. It symbolizes our willingness to submit to God’s will, even when it involves personal sacrifice.
Hebrews 13:12
“And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood.”
This verse emphasizes that Jesus suffered outside the city gate, symbolizing His rejection and sacrifice for the purpose of making people holy through His shed blood.
Wearing a cross can serve as a reminder of the holiness we have received through Christ’s sacrifice. It represents our identity as a holy people, washed and sanctified by His precious blood.
1 Peter 4:13
“But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”
This verse encourages believers to rejoice when they participate in the sufferings of Christ, understanding that it leads to a greater joy when His glory is revealed.
Wearing a cross can serve as a reminder of our participation in the sufferings of Christ. It symbolizes our hope and anticipation of the glory that will be revealed when we share in His eternal victory.
Luke 14:27
“And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
This verse emphasizes the necessity of carrying our cross and following Jesus in order to truly be His disciple. It speaks to the commitment and dedication required to walk in His footsteps.
Wearing a cross can serve as a reminder of the call to wholeheartedly follow Jesus. It symbolizes our willingness to embrace the challenges and sacrifices that come with being His disciple.
Galatians 6:14
“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
This verse expresses the Apostle Paul’s resolve to boast only in the cross of Jesus Christ. It portrays the transformative effect of the cross, crucifying both the world’s influence on the believer and the believer’s attachment to the world.
Wearing a cross can serve as a constant reminder to shift our focus and allegiance from the ways of the world to the work of the cross. It represents our resolve to find our identity and boast solely in Christ and His sacrificial love.