The Cross?

We asked some of the artists what the Cross meant to them. Here are some of their answers:

Ann: Well, life after death, forgiveness of sins, resurrection, all these things are now so important in my life.

Vicky: Well to me it speaks of newness of life but it always fills me with sadness when I look at the Cross, it symbolizes the savagery of a so-called civilized society. The Romans conquered the world to bring civilization but they used crucifixion, a means of death that dragged it out more than it should, bringing suffering more than was needed. From the Christian perspective it was the sacrifice that was required for salvation, a promise.

Sally: Well it’s a strange thing isn’t it, that I have a pretty gold cross on a chain round my neck and yet it is an instrument of torture and death. It is the ultimate symbol that represents my faith.

Gracie: I think this exhibition is really cool because I think it is good to think about these things when you are making art. I made the coins of betrayal and as I was doing it I was thinking about it and realised that I had never really thought seriously about that part of the story before. Judas betrayed Jesus and yet Judas was one of Jesus’ best friends, being part of the twelve, and yet went to the priests and basically said, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus?” That level of betrayal must really have hurt Jesus, but obviously Jesus knew it was going to happen. It shows how much God loves us because Jesus was still friends with Judas, even though he knew Judas was going to betray him, and it’s like that with us. God still loves us although He knows that we’re going to betray him, maybe not in quite the same way but He knows we’ll turn away from him or go against Him; we’re not perfect so we’re never going to completely get it right all the time.    

The Cross is more than a symbol of death…

…it is a symbol of life and joy…

… it is a symbol of peace…

…so where does the Cross fit in your life.