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Word of The Cross - 1Cor 1:18
Word of The Cross - 1Cor 1:18
“For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)
As we read chapter 2, remember it is part of the section that includes chapters 1-3, and continues the thought on the unity of the church and to instruct them to not have divisions among themselves.
From the beginning, God prepared man for the coming of the Messiah who would be a sacrifice for sin. We see the whole sacrificial system as it was revealed beginning in the garden and continuing throughout the whole Old Testament time period. Jesus ‘was the lamb of God, slain from the foundation of the world’. But then, He doesn’t just die, He dies on the cross.
Crucifixion was not just capital punishment, it was intended to be an ignominious death that was reserved for the most abhorrent behavior, at least abhorrent from the position of the ones sentencing the person to death. To have the son of David, the son of God die ON A CROSS was unthinkable, yet that is exactly what happened to Jesus!
Paul here states that the whole idea of a crucified savior was considered ‘foolishness’, that is, to those who didn’t put their faith in Jesus. For those who believe, this message has the power to save (Rom. 1:16-17).
While we have ‘prettied up’ the idea of being crucified, even making jewelry out of the symbol, it should stand as a reminder of how abhorrent sin is to God.
Many sins are said to be an abomination unto God (cp. Lev. 18:22-30, etc.) He has stated that he will not dwell with those who do such things (Ps. 5). In Romans 1, we learn that the WRATH of God is revealed against ALL sin. And even here in 1Cor. 6 we see that those who ‘do such things’ will NOT inherit the kingdom of God (1Cor. 6:9-11). Sin is not just ‘small thing’!
The word of the cross also holds forth the whole message of God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness! If he was willing to do this for us WHEN we were enemies, how much MORE will the death of Jesus provide for us that are walking in faith. (cp. Romans 5:6-11). God is not willing that you should perish, so he provided Jesus. God so loved, that he provided Jesus. God so hated sin, that he provided Jesus.
Unfortunately, the whole message of the Holiness of God, His hatred of sin, His wrath in judgment against sin… the whole message is rejected and scoffed at by the world. What goes through your mind when the message of the cross is preached? Such a death was said to be so abhorrent to the minds of the Roman citizens that they wouldn’t even speak of such. Yet, in Corinth: “8 Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized.” (Acts 18:8). Such a response to the gospel message should be the pattern for becoming a disciple today. Was that YOUR response?
Hugh DeLong
NOTE: For those who are inclined to buy books and read them, an interesting read is Martin Hengel’s book: Crucifixion: In the ancient world and the folly of the message of the cross, published by Fortress Press, Philadelphia.
