What does a cross do? Why have exorcists since ancient times used a cross to repel possession and heal their patients? What power is in that cross? Moses lifted up a serpent on a pole, akin to a cross, to heal mass snake bite victims and repel the snake poison. The serpent on pole and the cross are symbols used by medics and pharmacists in modern times as well as by sorcerers and exorcists since ancient times. The cross propitiates. It takes the brunt of the divine judgment within a situation of punishment for wrongdoing. It substitutes for the judgment of recipient of punishment. It holds up towards the patient a symbol of the evil being dealt with. The one upon the cross has to be in the form of that evil, in order for the evil to be overcome by this combination of propitiation (bearing the punishment instead of the patient) and substitution (bearing before the creditor the debt of the patient’s wrong doing). This was the meaning of a cross symbol in ancient times. The symbol was called MASH. (This might be a root of words Mass, and Massiah, we associate with this cross today.) The Messiah took this position of becoming sin on a cross to deal with sin and bear the brunt of wrath of God against us because of our sins. This heals us when we look to the cross in faith. It heals the punishing effects of sin and repels the power of sin by bearing the divine punishment and wrath so that we do not have to. So we should turn from our sins and live rightly, grateful for this cross and remembering its bearer, its substitute sacrifice.
