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The cross is a symbol of self-emptying.
John 18: 1 – 19: 42
St. Paul spoke of Jesus emptying himself when he accepted death on the cross. (Philippians 2: 7). We can confidently say that the cross is the symbol of self-emptying.
Jesus, like many others, must have seen crucifixions before. Therefore, we can presume he knew what to expect when he accepted his own cross. The descriptions in the gospels confirm that crucifixion was pure agony. Yet, Jesus did not hesitate to embrace his cross when the time came.
To Jesus, self-emptying was more important than self-preservation. Self-emptying is about putting aside self, personal needs and comforts, pride and so many other aspects of one’s life for something greater. Self-emptying is not for itself. It is a personal sacrifice that benefits others.
The cross of Jesus is the sign of how much he loved us. He loved us to the point of dying on the cross so that we may have life. If Jesus did not embrace his cross as he did we could not be saved.
