“I know very well how foolish the message of the Cross sounds to those who are on the road to destruction. But we who are being saved recognize this message as the very power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)
Yes, it is true, the cross was a Roman torture stake, a place of cruel and horrific death. Yet, it became the image that summed up the entire faith and life of the follower of Jesus. Think about it, this Cross, a source of insult for all who don’t believe the good news of Christ’s sacrifice for all mankind, becomes for those who do believe “the very power of God.”
To the Jews, the Cross was a mark of disgrace. An example of what it looks like when someone is abandoned by God. To the Romans, the Cross was a symbol of total defeat, a despicable display of disgust and complete loss. To the Greek, the Cross was a sign of hatred, the polar opposite of perfection that a person should represent.
To a follower of Christ, we see in the same Cross the wisdom, grace, strength, and power of Almighty God Himself. That is why a true follower of Jesus delights or boast in the Cross alone.
In the Cross we see The Mystery Of True Godliness. What the world ultimately counts as nothing but weakness and foolishness, or as best, a piece jewelry, for those who truly believe they see it as divine unveiling of hope – even in the face of life’s deepest challenges.
At the Cross, human pride is finally conquered by divine grace. At the Cross, all human effort to save themselves comes to an abrupt end. At the Cross, the truly redeemed die to themselves daily and to their petty dreams of temporal success. At the Cross, followers of Jesus gazes at it, and continue to do so for the rest of their lives because they know what it cost to make them right with God.
Have a joyous weekend. Make it better by worshiping The LORD with those who know what the Cross means because they know how much He gave to win their heart.
All For Jesus – Nothing More, Nothing Less, Nothing Else.
Vic Alvarado 