The Biblical Meaning of the Cross in a Dream

The Biblical Meaning of the Cross in a Dream reminds us of Lord Jesus’ eternal sacrifice. Did you know that these types of dreams also prepare us for new sacrifices we must make? This post includes two dream examples.

YOU HAVE TO DIE!!– The Holy Spirit (presenting as my mother) was chasing me around the living room. Brandishing a huge kitchen knife, she said that she was going to kill me. Had she lost her mind? Mom, you can not do this! I pleaded. I called out to the Lord (my brother in the dream). Help, she is trying to kill me! To my dismay, He did not intervene. He shook his head and said, You were told this is necessary. The situation looked hopeless. I quit running, and my mother caught up to me. Instinctively, I grabbed the blade before it pierced me, then fully bent the tip to point back at her. She looked down at the blade and seemed satisfied as she walked away.

We will review this dream together later in this post.

The Pain and Shame of the Cross

Before time, God set certain plans in motion. Then again, Isaiah released a similar prophecy seven hundred years before Christ. He revealed that Arm of the Lord would be led as a Lamb to the slaughter. This Lamb would silently bear our sins and iniquities fully. (Revelation 13:8, Isaiah 53:4-8). Finally, Jesus fulfilled the prophecy during His last Passover season on earth.

With governor Pontius Pilate’s consent, the Priests and the people handed Jesus over to Roman soldiers and the cross. Beaten, mocked, and spat upon, they led His bloody, disfigured form outside Jerusalem to Calvary.

Can you imagine how crowds lined the streets in Jerusalem? Some cheered, others hurled insults, while those who knew Jesus wept. Do you suppose anyone in the melee recalled the Lord’s invitation spoken only a few weeks or months earlier?

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24)

Providentially, one man named Simon carried the cross with Jesus that day, though not voluntarily.

Now, as they came out, they found a man from Cyrene named Simon. Him they compelled to bear His cross. (Matthew 27:32).

The Three-Day Wilderness of the Cross

Jesus walked a lonely path. The Lord poured out His Soul in Gethsemane, surrendering His will to restore our souls. From His crown of thorns to His nail-pierced feet, His Blood drained from His Body. He was bruised and mutilated for our healing and deliverance. And finally, on the cross, Jesus surrendered His Spirit to the Father and exhaled His last breath. We, too, must surrender our spirits to God.

Jesus’ death was the epitome of what it means to “lay down one’s life.” He explained that He willingly laid it down; no one took His life from Him. In this, He also set an example for us. (John 10:17-18)

When we accept Jesus the Lamb as Lord, He frees us from the bondage of this world (Egypt). But just like Israel, our flesh often longs to return there.

Still, another sacrifice is necessary before we enter our “Promised Land” (our God-assigned destiny on this earth). (Exodus 3:9-10; 25:12)

Between Jesus’ sacrifice and our surrender lies a barren and confusing wilderness that we must cross. We have a choice. We can tarry with the Lord in the wilderness or wander like Israel did for forty years.

The wilderness brings us to the end of ourselves. And God alone designs the length of time we spend there. Then, at the end of the period, which the Scriptures call “Three-Days,” the Lord restores us. (Hosea 6:2). Essentially, our Soul must divorce our flesh and marry the Spirit.

Remembering the Lord’s Death

In First Corinthians chapter Eleven, Apostle Paul communicates this message received from the Lord.

The teaching I gave you is the same that I received from the Lord: On the night when the Lord Jesus was handed over to be killed, he took bread and gave thanks for it. Then he divided the bread and said, “This is my body; it is for you. Eat this to remember me.” In the same way, after they ate, Jesus took the cup of wine. He said, “This cup represents the new agreement from God, which begins with my blood sacrifice. When you drink this, do it to remember me.” This means that every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are telling others about the Lord’s death until he comes again. (1 Corinthians 11: 23-26, ERV)

The Biblical Meaning of The Cross in a Dream

Remembering the death of Lord Jesus is not difficult. The Grace poured out to us because of His immeasurable Sacrifice is also easy to recall. Sadly, we soon forget His invitation to carry the cross with Him because of our weaknesses. For this reason, God will communicate the Biblical meaning of the cross in a dream. Here is another example:

THROWING EGGS AT THE CROSS – A family member and I visited a new church. The pastor encouraged the congregation to come to the altar to throw raw eggs at a large wooden cross. At first, it was difficult for us to do because we felt we were desecrating something holy. But after throwing a few, it became much easier.

This dream reminded me that the cross is not a memorial. Nor is it a piece of jewelry we wear on a golden necklace. It is not artwork on the walls in our homes or churches to show our faith. The cross symbolizes shame and surrender unto death. (Isaiah 53)

Finding the Biblical Meaning of the Cross in Your Dreams

I saw no cross in the dream shared at the beginning of this post. Nevertheless, it is inferred. Swords and knives seen in spiritual dreams often symbolize the Word of God, see Hebrews 4:12. Did you discern the significance of bending the blade? I gained my life when I surrendered (stopped running) and I pointed/proclaimed (returned) the Word back to God.

They overcame by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. (Revelation 12:11)

The Holy Spirit and Scriptures will help us to find the Biblical meaning of the Cross in a spiritual dream. Do this mainly when a dream has obvious or subtle cross symbols or themes about dying to self or surrendering.

When the Apostle Paul said, “I die daily,” he gave us an important key. Surrendering (crucifying our worldly lives) grants us access to the “Door” of Life.

Other References to the Cross in Dreams

Consider these extra Biblical verses about the Cross, or surrendering or dying, that sometimes interpret dreams.

This is how we know what real love is: Jesus gave his life for us. So, we should give our lives for each other as brothers and sisters. (1 John 3:16, ERV)

Did you forget that all of us became part of Christ Jesus when we were baptized? In our baptism we shared in his death. So when we were baptized, we were buried with Christ and took part in his death. And just as Christ was raised from death by the wonderful power of the Father, so we can now live a new life. (Romans 6:3-4, ERV)

For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him. (2 Timothy 2:11)

But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Galatians 6:14)

He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39)

Can you think of other related Scriptures? What Biblical meanings of the cross have you seen in a dream? They may be worth a second look. Have a blessed Pesach, Good Friday, and Resurrection Day!

^{*All Scriptures are New King James Version unless otherwise noted. Images 2 and 4 are from depositphotos.com. Other photos are AI-generated.}