Today, we use the cross as a symbol of God's love, grace, and forgiveness, as well as to remember the sacrifice that Jesus was willing to make for us. However, the cross did not originally mean that. It was a symbol, instead, of Rome's power--that no one dare revolt against or oppose Rome. But through the sacrifice of Jesus, the cross now declares victory. Victory against sin and death, and victory to follow Jesus as relationship with God has been redeemed and restored.