I think anyone who thought just a bit about this would have realized that cross is nothing but some icon. Not really something to be worshipped.

The whole redemption scene is quite enigmatic to give meaning tbh, but one convincing explanation I’ve heard is that it is to “kill” self. Your ego is strong, and often blinds you, sometimes making you overly greedy. Only by murdering ego, one might be truly “grown up” and free from various chains. Maybe Jesus has gone through such a pain just to teach that? Well, idk.