Vertical and horizontal lines episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 21, 2026 · 5 MIN

Vertical and horizontal lines

from Daily Picture · host Stephanie Hawkins

Today I saw horizontal lines and vertical lines in my mind's eye which then moved me to reflect on the vertical wooden structure Jesus hung on, with His arms outstretched on the horizontal wood. It is totally significant and intentional that Jesus died this way. Ancient Jewish law dictated that anyone who committed a crime and was thus hung on a (wooden) pole to die was cursed by God (see Old Testament book Deuteronomy 21:23). Apostle Paul quotes from this passage in his letter to the church in Galatia: "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us as it is written 'Cursed is anyone who is hung on a pole' (Galatians 3:1). So, basically, Paul is saying that Jesus was our sacrifice, redeeming humanity from that curse of the law by literally being cursed on our behalf. What should we be cursed for, if it wasn't for Jesus hung on the 'pole'? Our sins. This is why Christians declare, with gratitude, that Jesus took our sins on the cross. This in no way means we think we don't sin. It is the opposite. We know we sin and we are so grateful to God for saving us from the curse which means death. Instead, we are now offered eternal life. No wonder we are so grateful!

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jun 21, 2026

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Vertical and horizontal lines

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