Rope Cross
Decorative crosses are made with various materials: metal, plastic, wood, and even knotted ropework can be fashioned into many different attractive styles. The Rope Cross, however, is different. Rather than being simply decorative, it carries a message.
Rope Cross
Rope Cross
Around 2,000 years ago, a common way to a crucify people was to first plant a stipe (vertical pole) into the ground. The victim was often then scourged and beaten savagely before being pushed to the ground on his or her back. The arms were then outstretched and bound or nailed to a beam. Finally, the beam was hoisted up, with the victim, and fastened to a mortice in the stipe. The most expedient way to attach the beam would be with rope, therefore the Rope Cross (sometimes called a Corded Cross or Cable Cross) reminds us of the brutal way that Jesus was crucified.
Mankind has a twisted imagination and over the years we have developed bizarre methods for killing fellow humans that annoy us. Stoning, crushing, poisoning, piercing, burning, electrocuting, drowning, asphyxiating... the list goes on1. Crucifixion is perhaps one of the cruelest forms of death2. The victim must hang in pain that is excruciating (a word derived from 'crucifixion'); even more agonising if nails are used for the wrists and feet3. The victim also suffers the humiliation of being naked, beaten and wracked4, whilst spectators jeer mockingly5 until death brings relief.
Sometimes decorative Rope Crosses are made entirely of rope or cabling.
Other Rope Crosses show ropes wound around the ends of the arms. This sanitizes the more popular belief that nails were used to attach Jesus to the cross.
1 - Death by the sword: Exodus 21, by stoning: Deuteronomy 21:21, by fire: Leviticus 20
2 - The indignation of crucifixion: Deuteronomy 21:22-23
3 - The nailing of Jesus: John 20:25, Colossians 2:14. See also Passion Cross
4 - The scourging of Jesus: Isaiah 53:5, Matthew 27:26, Mark 15:15
5 - The mocking of Jesus: Matthew 27:48, Luke 23:36. See also Arms of Christ
