The Symbolism of our Cross

The cross displayed on our site here at HopeLife includes the Star of David in the center,  and is surrounded by many ‘leaves’. These styling choices were intentional, and hold meaning.

Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

When styling a cross for our site, we felt it only appropriate to depict it as tree – providing life-sustaining power to many branches. 

The Star of David

This reflects our belief that Jesus Christ was the promised Messiah, prophesized to be the salvation of Jewish People and to be a saving light to the Gentiles, through the line of David.

In Hebrew culture, an Israelite is only an Israelite one of two ways. They have to be born to a Hebrew Mother or Convert. The Father determined the tribe, but not the legitimacy.

Matthew 1:20 20 But when he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

See also: Luke 3:23-37 23 And Jesus himself, when he began `to teach', was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the `son' of Heli, 24 the `son' of Matthat, the `son' of Levi, the `son' of Melchi, the `son' of Jannai, the `son' of Joseph, 25 the `son' of Mattathias, the `son' of Amos, the `son' of Nahum, the `son' of Esli, the `son' of Naggai, 26 the `son' of Maath, the `son' of Mattathias, the `son' of Semein, the `son' of Josech, the `son' of Joda, 27 the `son' of Joanan, the `son' of Rhesa, the `son' of Zerubbabel, the `son' of Shealtiel, the `son' of Neri, 28 the `son' of Melchi, the `son' of Addi, the `son' of Cosam, the `son' of Elmadam, the `son' of Er, 29 the `son' of Jesus, the `son' of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the `son' of Matthat, the `son' of Levi, 30 the `son' of Symeon, the `son' of Judas, the `son' of Joseph, the `son' of Jonam, the `son' of Eliakim, 31 the `son' of Melea, the `son' of Menna, the `son' of Mattatha, the `son' of Nathan, the `son' of David, 32 the `son' of Jesse, the `son' of Obed, the `son' of Boaz, the `son' of Salmon, the `son' of Nahshon, 33 the `son' of Amminadab, the `son' of Arni, the `son' of Hezron, the `son' of Perez, the `son' of Judah, 34 the `son' of Jacob, the `son' of Isaac, the `son' of Abraham, the `son' of Terah, the `son' of Nahor, 35 the `son' of Serug, the `son' of Reu, the `son' of Peleg, the `son' of Eber, the `son' of Shelah, 36 the `son' of Cainan, the `son' of Arphaxad, the `son' of Shem, the `son' of Noah, the `son' of Lamech, 37 the `son' of Methuselah, the `son' of Enoch, the `son' of Jared, the `son' of Mahalaleel, the `son' of Cainan,

Therefore, the Father of Jesus is God, by way of the Holy Spirit, but was born unto the household of Mary & Joseph, who both descended from the line of David, the line of Judah, the line of Jacob (Israel), the line of Abraham, the line of Shem, the line of Noah, the line of Seth, the line of Adam.

Jesus came to to fulfill the law of Moses in mind, body and spirit and to fulfill the prophecy and promise to Abraham and David. These promises were given, as a result of faith, love and the grace of GOD. Not because of good works.

Matthew 5:17-20 17 Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed `the righteousness' of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.

John 19:30 30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up his spirit.

Therefore, Jesus's Father is the Holy Spirit, but was born unto the household of Joseph, who was of the line of David.

Some examples:

Jesus quotes the psalm of David as he suffers on the cross:

Psalms 22:1 Chapter 22 1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? `Why art thou so' far from helping me, `and from' the words of my groaning?

The Promise to Abraham, which is Jesus Christ:

Genesis 22:18 18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. Because thou hast obeyed my voice.

GOD's promise to Abraham is passed down through the House of David:

1 Chronicles 17:10-13 10 and `as' from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel; and I will subdue all thine enemies. Moreover I tell thee that Jehovah will build thee a house. 11 And it shall come to pass, when thy days are fulfilled that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will set up thy seed after thee, who shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He shall build me a house, and I will establish his throne for ever. 13 I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my lovingkindness away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee;

David speaks of the coming Messiah:

Psalms 2 Chapter 2 1 Why do the nations rage, And the peoples meditate a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against Jehovah, and against his anointed, `saying', 3 Let us break their bonds asunder, And cast away their cords from us. 4 He that sitteth in the heavens will laugh: The Lord will have them in derision. 5 Then will he speak unto them in his wrath, And vex them in his sore displeasure: 6 Yet I have set my king Upon my holy hill of Zion. 7 I will tell of the decree: Jehovah said unto me, Thou art my son; This day have I begotten thee. 8 Ask of me, and I will give `thee' the nations for thine inheritance, And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. 9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. 10 Now therefore be wise, O ye kings: Be instructed, ye judges of the earth. 11 Serve Jehovah with fear, And rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and ye perish in the way, For his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all they that take refuge in him. Psalm 3 A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.

David refers to the LORD in 2 parts; excludes himself as being the Messiah:

Psalms 110:1-2 Chapter 110 1 Jehovah saith unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, Until I make thine enemies thy footstool. 2 Jehovah will send forth the rod of thy strength out of Zion: Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.

Again, David prophesies the Messiah:

Psalms 72:11-12 11 Yea, all kings shall fall down before him; All nations shall serve him. 12 For he will deliver the needy when he crieth, And the poor, that hath no helper.

Psalms 72:17 17 His name shall endure for ever; His name shall be continued as long as the sun: And men shall be blessed in him; All nations shall call him happy.

Isaiah Prophesies the coming Messiah, through the line of David, the branch of Jesse:

Isaiah 7:14 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 9:6 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 11:1 Chapter 11 1 And there shall come forth a shoot out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots shall bear fruit.

Zechariah prophecies the coming of Jesus as the Messiah, through the house of David:

Zechariah 12:10 10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication; and they shall look unto me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born.

Zechariah 13:1 Chapter 13 1 In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness.

Zechariah 13:7-9 7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith Jehovah of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered; and I will turn my hand upon the little ones. 8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith Jehovah, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. 9 And I will bring the third part into the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried. They shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people; and they shall say, Jehovah is my God.

Jesus prophecies Himself to His disciples from the book of Zechariah:

Mark 14:27 27 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered abroad.

So, we acknowledge the shield of David, reflected in the star to demonstrate our belief that the promise was fulfilled and that Jesus Christ, the eternal son, was the promised Messiah and HIS kingdom endures through all generations.

He is the deliverer promised to Abraham, through the line of David of all people who believe and confess that HE is their LORD and Savior. A gift of grace, based on GOD's never ending love and faithfulness.