The Message Of The Cross
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.
1 Corinthians 1:18
In some ways, we have become too familiar with the cross. We see crosses every day of our lives. Many churches have them atop their steeples. They are often seen above pulpits, town squares and cemeteries. Now, I am not against seeing the cross; but like any other symbol, it can lose its power in our lives if we become too familiar with it. In other words, we can become desensitized to the cross.
Think about this: For many, the cross is nothing more than a piece of jewellery that is used to adorn the ear or the neck. For some, the cross is an icon designed for worship; they kneel before the cross and pray to it. Some see the cross as a charm that contains supernatural power; they hang it over their bed or hang it in their car, or carry it around to ward off evil.
For some, the cross is offensive. In 1 Cor. 1:23, Paul calls it a “stumblingblock”. This word comes from the Greek word “standalone” which means to trap or a snare. It came to mean something that trips a person up and causes them to fall. We get the English word “scandal” from this very word. To the Jews, the cross was a scandal! They could not conceive of the Messiah being nailed to a cross! They literally stumbled over the cross!
For others, the cross is foolishness. In 1 Cor. 1:23, Paul tells us that the Greeks considered the cross to be “foolishness”. This word comes from the Greek word “moria”, which gives us the English word “moron”. The sophisticated Greeks looked at a Saviour dying on a cross, and they declared it to be “moronic foolishness.”
But, for a few, the cross is an object of power and wisdom. In 1 Cor. 1:24, Paul says that those who have grasped the true message of the cross understand that it is not weak or foolish. It is instead, "the power of God and the wisdom of God," and the means of salvation.
Are you one of the few?
Bible Reading
1 Corinthians 1:18-25.
Prayer
Almighty God, thank You for the cross, but more than this, I thank You for the Saviour who died on it for me. Thank You that the Lord Jesus rose on the third day and is alive today. In His name I pray. Amen.
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