The Message Of The Cross

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. As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.” [1 Corinthians 1.18-19]

Oh wow, wow, wow...

The "message of the cross" is an interesting phrase. At first glance, we are inclined to think this is only about Jesus. However, in light of all God's Word (in other words, "in context") the cross is not only about Jesus, but about US who believe!

If we are indeed "crucified with Christ" (Galatians 2.20), then the message of the cross has EVERYTHING to do with US! And, not only that, Jesus was adamant on the subject:

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. [Luke 9.23]

The cross is to be as much our life and goal as it was Jesus' life and goal.

The most powerful thing Jesus did as a human was the Cross. The most powerful thing WE can do as humans is our cross. We simply must not miss the cross!

It was on the Cross that Jesus demonstrated the full Armor of God (see the articles So You Understand? and Forgive Us!). It was there, in His greatest weakness that the manifold power of God had its most profound display.

But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. [1 Corinthians 1.24-25]

Likewise, the most profound display of God's power in our lives is (or will be) on our cross! This is precisely why Paul could later make such a bold statement in his second letter to the Corinthians:

That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. [2 Corinthians 12.10]

Here, Paul was speaking particularly of a physical infirmity he had asked God to remove, but God reminded Paul that his human weakness (like Jesus demonstrated on the Cross) was where the undeniable power of God would manifest. God reminded Paul that it was in the realm of Grace (demonstrated through the epitome of the world's estimation of weakness - the Cross) that the power of God would be seen. The weakness of Jesus' Cross manifested God's power! The weakness of our cross manifests God's power!

Regarding the cross, Jesus also said this:

If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. [Matthew 10.38]

The cross is not the end of it though! In pure Biblical fact, the cross is the means to the power of God. Human strength has nothing to do with the power of God - the cross (both Jesus' and ours) assures us of that. It is on the cross that the power of God is on display, and, if we will see it, it is therefore on the cross where the Armor of God is most boldly on display.

The "message of the cross" is truly THE MESSAGE! The cross is where God's power transcends every human idea of power. Jesus' call to His followers to "take up their cross" is a call to God's power - God's Armor - through human weakness and vulnerability. And, yes, faith is very much involved! The greatest human stance in God's strength and power is demonstrated in the greatest human weakness - the complete weakness and vulnerability of the cross. It is there, clothed with the full Armor of God (that looks like weakness to the world), that the believer will reap God's resurrection power just as Jesus did! It simply does not get any more powerful than that!

And, that is why "The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction!" "Strength from weakness" does not compute to the world.

Father, Your Word is amazing. May I not shrink back from my cross, but seek it out every day, for it is there that Your Word, Your power, Your plan, Jesus, is seen in me!