THE CROSS
1 Corinthians 1:18, ESV: "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
The cross of Christ is "folly" to those who do not believe in it's power. The original Greek term used here is mōria, from the same root word forming English words such as moron. So basically, Paul is saying that to the unsaved world, to non-believers, those of us who believe in Christ and the crucifixion look like idiots.
Well, let's think about that for a minute. In Paul's day, the cross remained in widespread use by the Romans as a means of public execution. It was a symbol of shameful crimes and powerlessness before the Roman empire. The cross represented death, humility, and weakness.
We, who are believers in Christ and His death and resurrection, see the cross totally differently. We believe and know, in our hearts, that the cross represents hope. The cross is God's most powerful act; His greatest act of love. God the Father sacrificed His Son Jesus for human sin. God's Son did not lose a fight with the Jewish leaders or the Roman government. He wasn't overpowered or outmatched. He willingly went to the cross, with no reason for punishment, to die a shameful, painful death and give up His life to cover the sins of those who were perishing. He did it for us. He did it to give us life, abundant life!
(John 10:10)
Those who believe in Christ understand that without that powerful act, we would be lost and without hope. What Christ did on the cross saved us, and we believe in the power of the cross of Christ. We know what Jesus Christ did on that cross has done in our lives. We have experienced that life-changing power.
I don't expect someone who has not experienced it to understand. It would seem like foolishness. But it is real! I can't totally understand what Christ did for us on that cross, but I have experienced it. I will be forever grateful. I believe!
So, I may wear a cross necklace around my neck or on a shirt. You may see several in my home, because for me, it represents hope, joy and peace. It represents life!
I also know that the cross was not the end. There is so much more! And my heart leaps for joy because "Today is Friday but Sunday is coming!".
John 3:16, 17, ESV:
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."
