A Symbol of Offense?
1 Corinthians 1:27
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
Thoughts for Today:The Jews were looking for a Messiah to rescue them militarily from Roman rule, and lead them back to national prominence. So when Jesus appeared on the scene, teaching and performing miracles, they at first embraced Him. They thought, "He might be the One." When He was humiliated and nailed to a cross, they immediately discounted Him. Therefore, if we look at the cross from their perspective it is an offensive symbol. It represents death, defeat, and disgrace.
Today my wife wears a cross necklace; I use a cross bookmark; and a cross stands tall in front of our church. In Jesus time, that would be like wearing a little gold electric chair on a chain around the neck, using a leather molded guillotine as a bookmark, or a hangman's noose in front of the house of worship. All would be crude and offensive.
For God to become human flesh and live among us is hard enough to believe. For God to endure the indignity and brutality of the Cross without intervention is outrageous. And the Resurrection of Jesus is mind-boggling all by itself. But, that is the Gospel message. What appears to be foolish, weak, and offensive has the power to re-make and inspire us. Only God would offer salvation in such a way.
Questions to Ponder:When we come to the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus, we begin to understand the impossible which could only be accomplished by God's grace for us and in us. Do you lack a little inspiration today? Let Him be your source. Do you think your problems are insurmountable? Let Him direct your way. Colossians 1:19-20: "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross."
1 Corinthians 1:27
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
Thoughts for Today:The Jews were looking for a Messiah to rescue them militarily from Roman rule, and lead them back to national prominence. So when Jesus appeared on the scene, teaching and performing miracles, they at first embraced Him. They thought, "He might be the One." When He was humiliated and nailed to a cross, they immediately discounted Him. Therefore, if we look at the cross from their perspective it is an offensive symbol. It represents death, defeat, and disgrace.
Today my wife wears a cross necklace; I use a cross bookmark; and a cross stands tall in front of our church. In Jesus time, that would be like wearing a little gold electric chair on a chain around the neck, using a leather molded guillotine as a bookmark, or a hangman's noose in front of the house of worship. All would be crude and offensive.
For God to become human flesh and live among us is hard enough to believe. For God to endure the indignity and brutality of the Cross without intervention is outrageous. And the Resurrection of Jesus is mind-boggling all by itself. But, that is the Gospel message. What appears to be foolish, weak, and offensive has the power to re-make and inspire us. Only God would offer salvation in such a way.
Questions to Ponder:When we come to the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus, we begin to understand the impossible which could only be accomplished by God's grace for us and in us. Do you lack a little inspiration today? Let Him be your source. Do you think your problems are insurmountable? Let Him direct your way. Colossians 1:19-20: "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross."
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