No matter how it is displayed, even as jewelry or graffiti, the cross is universally recognized as the symbol of Christianity, and therein lies a serious problem. The cross itself rather than what transpired upon it 19 centuries ago has become the focus of attention, resulting in several grave errors. Its very shape, though devised by cruel Pagans for punishing criminals, has become holy and mysteriously imbued with magic properties, fostering the delusion that displaying a cross somehow provides divine protection. Millions superstitiously keep a cross in their homes or on their person or make "the sign of the cross" to ward off evil and frighten demons away. Demons fear Christ, not a cross; and any who have not been crucified with Him display a cross in vain.

Paul declared, "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God" (l Corinthians 1:18). So the power of the Cross lies not in its display but in its preaching; and that preaching has nothing to do with the peculiar shape of the cross but with Christ's death upon it as declared in the gospel. The gospel is "the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Romans 1:16), not to those who wear or otherwise display or make the sign of the cross.

http://www.thebereancall.org/node/5846

It is said that in the land of Canaan, cities of refuge were so arranged, that any man might reach one of them within half a day at the utmost. Even so the word of our salvation is near to us; Jesus is a present Saviour, and the way to him is short; it is but a simple renunciation of our own merit, and laying hold of Jesus, to be our all in all.

With regard to the roads to the city of refuge, we are told that they were strictly preserved, every river was bridged, and every obstruction removed, so that the man who fled might find an easy passage to the city. Once a year the elders went along the roads and saw to their order, so that nothing might impede the flight of any one, and cause him, through delay, to be overtaken and slain.

How graciously do the promises of the gospel remove the stumbling blocks from the way? Wherever there were by-roads and turnings, there were fixed up hand-posts, with this inscription upon them - "To the city of refuge?"

This is a picture of the road to Christ Jesus. It is no roundabout road of the law; it is no obeying this, that, and the other; it is a straight road: "Believe, and live". It is road so hard, that no self-righteous man can ever tread it, but so easy, that every sinner, who knows himself to be a sinner, may by it find his way to heaven.

No sooner did the man-slayer reach the outworks of the city than he was safe; it was not necessary for him to pass far within the walls, but the suburbs themselves were sufficient protection. Learn here, that if you do but touch the hem of Christ's garment, you shall be made whole; if you do but lay hold upon him with "faith as a grain of mustard seed', you are safe.

Only waste no time, loiter not by the way, for the avenger of blood is swift of foot; and it may be he is at your heels at this still hour of eventide.

C.H. Spurgeon, Morning & Evening, 04/02