Moe Bergeron

The cross is so familiar to many of us that we can forget how shocking it truly is. In ancient times, death by crucifixion was more than a punishment—it was a public curse. And yet, Jesus chose it. Not because He deserved it, but because we did. There’s holy weight in those words: “hung on a tree.”

Scripture
Galatians 3:13 (NLT): “But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’”

Reflection
Paul draws from Deuteronomy 21:23, where God declares that anyone hung on a tree is cursed. It was a visible sign of divine judgment. In Israel’s culture, to be hung on a tree was to bear shame, disgrace, and rejection. So when Paul says Jesus was “hung on a tree,” he’s telling us that Jesus willingly stepped into a place of unspeakable dishonor—for us.

This wasn’t accidental. It was the plan of redemption. Acts 5:30 tells us, “The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross.” Peter repeats this in Acts 10:39. The apostles understood the symbolism: the cross wasn’t just a Roman execution tool—it was where Christ took the full force of the curse on Himself.

Jesus, the sinless Son of God, became cursed so that cursed people could become children of God. That’s the scandal and beauty of the gospel. The tree that symbolized judgment became the very means of our freedom.

When we see the cross, we shouldn’t just see suffering—we should see the love of God made visible. Christ took the lowest place so He could raise us to the highest. He became nothing, so we could become righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Application
Today, let the cross humble you and fill you with awe. Reflect on what it meant for Jesus to hang there—not only in physical agony but under the weight of spiritual judgment. When guilt or shame tries to cling to you, remember: He bore your curse fully. There is no more condemnation left. The tree that meant death for Him means life for you.

References
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT): “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”
Acts 5:30 (NLT): “The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross.”

Prayer
Father, thank You for the cross. Thank You that Jesus was willing to be hung on that cursed tree so I could go free. Forgive me for the times I take the cross lightly or forget the depth of Your love shown there. Let the reality of the crucifixion deepen my worship and shape the way I live today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.