THE CROSS

TO READ: 1 Corinthians 2:1-16

The Cross

For I decided to concentrate only on Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. . . . The wisdom we speak of is the secret wisdom of God, which was hidden in former times, though he made it for our benefit before the world began.1 Corinthians 2:2, 7

The Union Jack, the flag of the United Kingdom, is made up of the flags of England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland superimposed on each other. Each of these flags represents the country’s patron saint—George of England, Patrick of Ireland, David and Andrew of Scotland. Each saint is represented by a cross.

The cross has become a well-known symbol often pictured on flags, incorporated into church architecture, or simply worn as a piece of jewelry. But its original significance is largely overlooked, which is not surprising when we remember what the cross was. During the days of the Roman Empire, the cross was a means of execution so torturous, vile, and cruel that no Roman citizen could ever be crucified. It is remarkable that such a horrendous instrument of torture could become such a precious symbol to so many. But how?

The answer is to be found not in the cross itself, but in a particular execution, that of a humble young craftsman, Jesus of Nazareth, whose bold preaching challenged the religious status quo in Jerusalem almost two millennia ago. But even his crucifixion does not account for the widespread respect for crosses—until we remember that the underlying reason for the religious establishment’s antipathy toward him was that he claimed to be God. His claims took on undeniable force when his tomb became empty, his body disappeared, and many people reported seeing him risen from the dead.

The disciples of Jesus, who originally deserted him during the terrifying hours of his arrest, trial, and execution, were remarkably transformed after the reported sightings. They began to preach loudly and clearly that Jesus was the promised Messiah, that he had died for the sins of the world, had risen again, and was triumphant over sin, death, and hell. This dramatic message spread throughout the Roman Empire.

The apostle Paul, whose activities were significant for the spread of this message, said that his task was to “concentrate only on Jesus Christ and his death on the cross” (1 Cor. 2:2). Paul said that, if those who killed Jesus had understood what they were doing, “they would never have crucified our glorious Lord” (2:8). Although they did not know it, one of “God’s deep secrets” (2:10) was becoming a reality. For it was at the cross that Jesus died for all men’s sins and made forgiveness and eternal life available to all who believe.

The secret is no longer hidden. The word is out, and today many men see beyond the symbolism to the significance of the cross. They, having been forgiven, love him, and serve him. They rightly revere the cross and the one about whom it speaks.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ, who You sent to this earth to fulfill the prophecies of the Old Testament.

We thank You for The Cross and what it represents, the forgiveness of our sins and the promise of Eternal Life with You!

Oh, how glorious will that day be when Jesus returns to this earth to claim His Kingdom. I pray that I may be worthy to walk with Him on that day. I also pray for those who are yet struggling to find Him and claim Him as their Lord and Savior.

Thank You for Your Word and the promise or Eternal Life I pray in the name of My Lord, Jesus Christ!

Amen!

Scripture to read: 1 Corinthians 2: 1-16

1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.