Christ Crucified
1 Corinthians 1:18-24 (NLT)
18 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 19 As the Scriptures say,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.”
20 So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. 21 Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. 22 It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. 23 So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.
24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Reflection
It can be hard to understand how a brutal method of killing and dying is God’s path to redemption - that His power would be revealed with a crucifixion. If you think about it, the cross was a lousy marketing tool. Crucifixion was capital punishment, a public spectacle geared to shame its victims. It was for rebels, insurrectionists…anyone who threatened the social order of the powerful. The cross is the last place where the world would expect to discover God's ultimate power and wisdom.
How could this be an encounter with God in the eyes of the world? If God sent a savior, He would be sophisticated, strong, powerful, educated. It was absurd to the Jews and Gentiles that God’s savior would die a criminal’s death, yet that brutal death would change the world.
The cross is God's most significant act. God's Son did not lose a battle with the Jewish leaders or the Roman government. He was not overpowered or outmatched. God the Father sacrificed
His Son to atone for human sin. Jesus, despite having unlimited power, gave up His life to cover the sins of those who were perishing. For you and me.
To us who are being saved, the cross is the power of God. What seems foolish, weak, or even crazy to some becomes divine revelation and salvation to those who believe. God chose to reveal His power and salvation to us through the cross, even though it may seem like a ridiculous and weak message to the educated, wise, and powerful. He chose death on the cross, what didn't make sense to the world, to show that He is greater than all.
So where does this leave the brilliant scholars and philosophers? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. Oh, how God is intent on stripping us of our pride. He wants to humble us so we will let go of our selfish and sinful ways, fully understand the logic of the cross, and discover His saving power. If you are anything like me, you may be in love with independent wisdom, intelligence and strength, but thanks to God, He has a way to humble us.
Those who trust in Christ understand that without His decisive act, we would be lost and without hope. This is the power of the cross: You can know that you are right with God, your sins are forgiven, you have victory over satan, and you have a home in heaven.
Action Step
Take time to reflect on this: Jesus died over 2000 years ago, yet He is the one who saved you and continues to save you.
Prayer
Dear God, I come to You with a humble heart. I want to thank You for sending a savior, who helped me discover Your power, forgiveness, never-ending love, and grace. Please help me always to remain humble, to let go of any pride, and to be faithful. Thank You for the cross, the message, and the ultimate gift You could ever have given - Your one and only Son. Amen
18 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 19 As the Scriptures say,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.”
20 So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. 21 Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. 22 It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. 23 So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.
24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Reflection
It can be hard to understand how a brutal method of killing and dying is God’s path to redemption - that His power would be revealed with a crucifixion. If you think about it, the cross was a lousy marketing tool. Crucifixion was capital punishment, a public spectacle geared to shame its victims. It was for rebels, insurrectionists…anyone who threatened the social order of the powerful. The cross is the last place where the world would expect to discover God's ultimate power and wisdom.
How could this be an encounter with God in the eyes of the world? If God sent a savior, He would be sophisticated, strong, powerful, educated. It was absurd to the Jews and Gentiles that God’s savior would die a criminal’s death, yet that brutal death would change the world.
The cross is God's most significant act. God's Son did not lose a battle with the Jewish leaders or the Roman government. He was not overpowered or outmatched. God the Father sacrificed
His Son to atone for human sin. Jesus, despite having unlimited power, gave up His life to cover the sins of those who were perishing. For you and me.
To us who are being saved, the cross is the power of God. What seems foolish, weak, or even crazy to some becomes divine revelation and salvation to those who believe. God chose to reveal His power and salvation to us through the cross, even though it may seem like a ridiculous and weak message to the educated, wise, and powerful. He chose death on the cross, what didn't make sense to the world, to show that He is greater than all.
So where does this leave the brilliant scholars and philosophers? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. Oh, how God is intent on stripping us of our pride. He wants to humble us so we will let go of our selfish and sinful ways, fully understand the logic of the cross, and discover His saving power. If you are anything like me, you may be in love with independent wisdom, intelligence and strength, but thanks to God, He has a way to humble us.
Those who trust in Christ understand that without His decisive act, we would be lost and without hope. This is the power of the cross: You can know that you are right with God, your sins are forgiven, you have victory over satan, and you have a home in heaven.
Action Step
Take time to reflect on this: Jesus died over 2000 years ago, yet He is the one who saved you and continues to save you.
Prayer
Dear God, I come to You with a humble heart. I want to thank You for sending a savior, who helped me discover Your power, forgiveness, never-ending love, and grace. Please help me always to remain humble, to let go of any pride, and to be faithful. Thank You for the cross, the message, and the ultimate gift You could ever have given - Your one and only Son. Amen
Posted in Tree Church Daily Devo
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