To fully understand the cross we need to understand the reversal that took place. Jesus, God incarnate, humbles Himself and makes Himself of no accord or notoriety, humble to the point of crucifixion on a wooden cross. Not just any death sentence but one of the most torturous, excruciating and humiliating known then or now. Jesus did not only suffer for us, He suffered with us. He knows what it was like to be tempted and tried through life. He knows what it was like to have His back under a flagrum or Roman scourging whip and to pay innocently for another's guilt with His life. The cross when understood correctly can't possibly be used to encourage the downtrodden to simply accept violence. When Jesus suffers in the scourging, humiliation and crucifixion for us he is honoring God's justice. When he suffered with the human race He is synonymous with the meek and those crushed underfoot by the world.
Life altering love is a trade-off and a juxtaposing. A switching of roles, a reverse. Jesus wins for us eternally by losing what is temporary in this world. We sacrifice our lives to serve God in this life but by doing so we gain life in this world and the next. An eternal triumph through a earthly beating and crucifixion. We gain everything through Christ when He gave everything away. Those who allow themselves to be brought low in serving the Almighty are then lifted and greatly exalted by Him also. When we self-empty we allow for Him to fill us. When we die to self He replaces us.
Of course this is absolute lunacy to the world, they just won't get it. It is our job to try and explain it to them in a gentle manner. To the members of the church Peter says:
"...Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5
Most importantly Jesus said:
"The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." Matthew 23:11-12
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