There are certainly practical purposes to the cross. Everyone reacts to it. Some react with pity, but Christ does not want your pity. Because it reverses the whole plan. For this purpose came I into the world.
Pity suggests weakness, but here is strength.
Most of all, pity can get in the way of the larger emotions. Christ wants you to feel - worship, adoration, commitment. To the Greeks the cross was foolishness, to the Jews a stumbling block. It should be a convincing demonstration of love. Here is a strong affirmation that the purposes of God cannot be thwarted.