The HUGE works of Christ -
Becoming one of us, though sinless.
Defeating sin on the cross.
Defeating death (the final enemy) by rising again.
Christ on the cross is but one of His works for us.
We compassionate Him with gratitude for all He suffered for love of us. We see it as a reminder that puts our own suffering in perspective. We remember that, if necessary, we must die for Him: of not by giving our lives, by dying to ourselves as He Himself said. We remember what St. Paul said about how he made up for in his body what was lacking in the Suffering of Christ, so to offer up our daily Cross, taking it up and following Jesus. The image is a very profound statement.