We Preach Christ Crucified
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the
gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of
its power.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are
perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is
written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the
intelligent I will frustrate.”
Where
is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher
of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not
know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save
those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we
preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God
and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser
than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
1 Corinthians 1:17-25
As
followers of Jesus Christ, we see the cross as more than a powerful Christian
symbol. It is the evidence of God’s power to free us from the tyranny of our
lives.
In a
diverse and pluralistic society, the controversy over religious symbols will
continue. Whether a cross can be displayed on public property will likely be
determined by the courts. But displaying the power of the cross through our lives will be decided in our hearts.
Nothing speaks more clearly of God’s love than the cross.
Our Daily Bread –