The Message

I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. [1 Corinthians 15.3-4]

That, my friends, is the Good News. It is the Gospel.

Imagine the headline: "The mystery of cancer solved - universal cure now available to all."

That headline would, I dare say, cause dancing in the streets.

And yet, the message of Christ crucified and raised from the dead, stirs few hearts. Why? Perhaps it is because the message of Christ crucified and raised from the dead is no longer really proclaimed. Oh sure, it is alluded to, and, of course, it is mentioned as the basis for so many other benefits of salvation, but I don't hear much said about the "headline:" "Christ crucified and raised from the dead!"  

I wonder today if we have come to the shallow idea that we must have a more profound message than Christ crucified and raised from the dead? What could be more profound? What could give more hope?

Father, help me to consider Christ crucified and raised from the dead. And, help me proclaim Christ crucified and raised from the dead!