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.” 1 Cor 1:18 

Why doesn’t Paul just say “the cross,” asks Fleming Rutledge in her book The Crucifixion: Understanding the Death of Jesus Christ? (p.13) 

The Jews laughed at the Apostle Paul–at the story of a crucified Saviour, and despised the apostles’ way of telling it. They sought wisdom. It is the same today. Because the word of the cross is not polite. It is hostile, offensive, and explores the gravity of sin. The death and resurrection of Christ are the hinge of history. It is the once-for-all event by which God rewrites the world’s story and ours. 

We point fingers at those we do not care for and mock our political, societal, and spiritual enemies today. How is this different than two thousand years ago? Christ died for the worst of the worst and the righteous of the crowds. Preaching Christ crucified is unadorned and reveals Christ defeating sin, death and satan. It is the rectification of the ungodly. 

You see, at just the right time…, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8 

THE WORD OF THE CROSS 

Please pray along with this sinner: 

Lord God Almighty, By your Holy Cross, you have redeemed the world. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows…Christ stood in our place, bearing our sins, so we are not destroyed by sin. We have died with him, we shall also live with him. The word of the cross. Amen