Dear Christian friends:

This evening we will give attention to the Jerusalem Cross. Again we owe thanks to Mr. Robert Harris for making a beautiful wooden Jerusalem cross for us to study.

The Jerusalem Cross is also sometimes called the Crusader's Cross, because it was used on the coat of arms of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem. The Kingdom was established by the Christian Crusaders from Europe in the year 1099 A.D., after they had defeated the Turks who had for many centuries ruled over Jerusalem. This Latin Kingdom lasted until 1203 A.D., about one century, when the Christians were defeated by the Turks. Godfrey of Bouillon, the first ruler of this Latin Kingdom, also used the Jerusalem Cross on his personal coat of arms.

Now let us study the Jerusalem Cross. As you can see, it is made of four Tau crosses with their bases joined at the center. The four small Greek crosses in each corner mean the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and St. John. The Tau crosses mean the "Law of Moses", This reminds us that we have passed from the "Law of Moses" to the “Love of God" shown to us by Christ's death on the cross.

Down through the centuries, this cross has been interpreted in various other ways. One explanation is that the large cross means the spear wound in Christ's side, while the smaller crosses around it mean the four nail wounds in His hands and feet. Another explanation is that the Tau crosses remind us of crutches and Christ's power to heal.

But chiefly this Jerusalem Cross has been interpreted to signify the mission of the Church, to witness of Christ's death and resurrection. So it is called the Cross of Witness. The large cross means Jerusalem, where the Church began, and the small Greek crosses mean the "four corners of the earth", north, south, east and west. In our text Jesus told His first disciples, "When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power to testify about Me with great effect, to the people of Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth, about My death and resurrection. (Acts 1:8)

The first disciples of Jesus did exactly what He said they would do. A few days later, after He had ascended into heaven, on the first Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came to them in a very wonderful way, and they were all filled with the Spirit. (Acts 2:1-4) On that day they testified to the people of Jerusalem about Christ's death and resurrection. Many believed: Three thousand people were baptized on that day. Later on they told of His death and resurrection in Judea, Samaria and in countries far away, Italy, Greece, Asia Minor, Spain, Ethiopia and India.

After the first disciples died a new generation of believers took their place and continued to bring the message of Christ's death and resurrection to more and more nations. After a few centuries the cross of Christ was planted in all of Europe, many parts of Asia and in parts of Africa. Our fathers, who came to America from Europe, brought the Gospel of Christ with them and planted it in this land.

Now it is our turn, our time, to continue the mission of the Church. Let us pray that Jesus will fill our hearts with His Holy Spirit, too, and permit us the privilege and honor of telling about His death and resurrection to our world today. When you see the Jerusalem Cross, remember that its chief meaning is the Cross of Witness. Let it always remind you of the great work Your Lord asks you to do for Him.

Amen.