“So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, til my trophies at last I lay down. I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it some day for a crown.”
The cross has long been an integral part of Christianity. It has been a symbol of faith, a marker of hope, and a reminder of God’s love. 2000 years ago Jesus died on a cross, and ever since, millions have associated Christianity with a cross. Before Christ was crucified on one, the cross was just a terrible way of putting someone to death.
Crucifixion was used by the Persians, Greeks, and Macedonians, but the Roman’s really perfected it.
Tens of thousands of people have been put to death on a cross throughout history.
It was considered at the time to be one of the most brutal, shameful and humiliating ways to die. The cross was seen as a source of death and pain, but Jesus turned it into a symbol of life and joy. God’s own Son forever changed the meaning of the cross when He was nailed to one and gave His life. Now when you google, “the cross” the first thing that pops up is a description of Christianity and our beliefs.
Jesus changed the entire purpose of a cross, and He did it for us. Sadly, the cross doesn’t mean to some what it means to others. The cross is a reminder of the life we have to come, but for others it is a made up story or fairytale. It is truly incredible how two people can look at the cross and think two entirely different things.
Interestingly enough, Paul actually wrote about this very problem in 1 Corinthians 1.
Written around 55 AD, Paul, the author, wrote to the church at Corinth for several reasons. They needed to understand the difference between divine and human wisdom. They needed pointers on marriage and sexual conduct. They had an idol problem, weren’t sure how Sunday services should be conducted, had no idea about the resurrection, and so much more. All in all there’s a lot to learn from this letter, but the part we will look at is found in 1:18-25.
Chapter 1-4 is all about human wisdom versus divine wisdom. If you’ve ever wondered why the world thinks we’re crazy, Paul answers that in this section.
The message of the cross. The cross causes different reactions in each person.
The cross divides, delivers, and decides.
- The Cross Divides The Saved and Lost (18)
- The Cross Delivers True Wisdom (19-21)
- The Cross Decides Your Future (22-25)
”The teaching about the cross seems foolish to those who are lost. But to us who are being saved it is the power of God. As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise. I will confuse the understanding of the intelligent.” Isaiah 29:14 So what does this say about the philosopher, the law expert, or anyone in this world who is skilled in making clever arguments? God has made the wisdom of the world look foolish. This is what God in his wisdom decided: Since the world did not find him through its own wisdom, he used the message that sounds foolish to save those who believe it. The Jews ask for miraculous signs, and the Greeks want wisdom. But this is the message we tell everyone: Christ was killed on a cross. This message is a problem for Jews, and to other people it is nonsense. But Christ is God’s power and wisdom to the people God has chosen, both Jews and Greeks. Even the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom. Even the weakness of God is stronger than human strength“ (1 Corinthians 1:18-25, ERV)
What does the cross mean to you?
The Preacher Pollard Blog 