Emphasis Preaching Journal

We preach Christ crucified (and risen), and the cross cannot be robbed of its meaning or importance. But it's also true because it was misunderstood by many first and second century people, the cross was not used as a symbol of the faith until the third century. Less repugnant symbols for Christ came from the New Testament. Christ was the vine, the Good Shepherd, the Light of the world, the Lamb of God, the Alpha and Omega. The Old Testament was a rich source of symbolism.