What does the cross represent?
Mala Chindongo explains in this video that the cross explains two things: first, it speaks to the love of God for us and secondly, it speaks to how serious sin is. Sin required the death of Christ. It shows that God takes sin very seriously. It shows us the gravity and seriousness of our sin.
The cross also shows us the love of God. He sent His only Son to the cross. At the cross, Christ takes our place of condemnation and we take the place of being accepted and loved by God.
1 Corinthians 1:18 (NKJV) - "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."