The sign of Christ's crucifixion is a sign of Jesus Christ's washing all who look to Him with a heart to believe. He was lifted on a cross after flogging covered Him in His own blood. The sign is like the Roman practice of putting a natural sponge dipped in vinegar on a stick to wash the body with it. The body being washed by Jesus is the collection of those who believe that 'He is' and who hold to His teachings, wanting Him to wash them and letting Him wash them. He said "Unless you let me wash you, you have no part in me." His body bloodied by scourging and nails and spear raised on a wooden cross became like the sponge dipped in vinegar put on a stick. In short it was a curse on sin and human nature and promise by God of Jesus washing it clean of sin and freeing it by the power of spirit, first in Jesus' words of spirit then in Jesus' blood, holy blood of one with no sin, God's lamb, then in the powerful Holy Spirit sent by God to come alongside believers as a holy advocate.
