The Christ of the cross is the Christ of compassion. When he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they were, as sheep having no shepherd. When he was about to raise Lazarus from the dead he wept with his loved ones because he felt what they felt.

He is the Christ of perfection. He lived a perfect life, was tempted in all ways like we are, yet without sinning. He could turn any conversation into a spiritual lesson. When they tried to trap him with their inquiries, he could answer in such a way that they didn’t dare ask any more questions.

He is the Christ of pain. He felt the pain of rejection. He felt the pain of Jerusalem’s refused to accept his ways. He felt the pain of being treated as a common criminal. He felt the pain of the betrayal of Judas. He felt the pain of Peter’s denial.

He felt the excruciating pain of the cross. He feels our pain because he has been here and experienced it.

He is the Christ of forgiveness. When he was on the cross he said, Father forgive them for they know not what they do. He had the authority to forgive sins before his crucifixion, no doubt looking forward to that event. He forgave the sins of the paralytic and the sinful woman at the Pharisees house. He gave himself as a sacrifice to forgive our sins.

He is the Christ of strength and weakness. He could not save us from heaven, with his mighty power. He had to become one of us, and contend with human weakness. He was crucified in weakness but raised in power.

He is the Christ of surrender. He surrendered his life to earthly authorities. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down I have authority to lay it down and the authority to take in up again (John 10:18).

He is the Christ of symbols. He fed many from five loaves and two fishes symbolizing that he is the Bread of Life (John 6). He healed the blind man, as a symbol that he is the Light of the world (John 9). He raised Lazarus from the dead, as a symbol that he is the Resurrection and the Life.