Preach the power of the Cross

“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.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

To the person who rejects Christ and His death on the cross, the cross and its message seem simply foolish.

But this “foolishness”, as unbelievers see it, is precisely the power that changes lives and things. Yet, the “message of the cross” is the power, that is missing in the walk of an increasing number of proclaiming believers.

Jesus on the cross is not a picture of a defeated and misguided leader.
On the contrary, it is one of victory over sin and death…it is supernatural power in action….love.

Some of the same people who thought that Jesus and His death were foolishness were later “shaking in their boots” when “the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. And the earth did quake and the rocks were split. And the graves were opened and many bodies of the saints that slept were raised…” (Matthew 27:51-52).

Real power was evidenced in those moments, it is no wonder then, that, “the centurion, and they that were with him watching Jesus…feared greatly, saying, Truly, this was the Son of God.” (Matthew 27:54).

What then is the message of the cross?

It is the power that tore open the curtain of the temple that separated man from God and is still tearing down curtains and walls that separate us from God; the power that shook the earth and split the rocks is still shaking and crumbling the rock-like hearts of men and women today; the power that broke open the tombs and raised many of the dead to life and continues to do so today when people who are spiritually or emotionally dead respond to the message of the cross.

“it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” (1 Corinthians 1:21).

Those who believe are saved, as it is, by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ and His finished work alone.

In verse 22 of the same chapter we see that the “Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom.”
It is the same in many places today, with men applauding those who will teach them from a worldly wisdom of a promise of comfort, health, and wealth, and with others promoting glimpses of the supernatural that do not appear as promoted.

To the unbelieving, the message of the cross is foolishness, as they search for ways to come to God without His perfect sacrifice.

Many are led to believe that this power should manifest itself in them through supernatural signs and miracles; otherwise they have not experienced the power of God.
They stumble blindly along, impervious to the truth, unsatisfied, always looking for one more proof, until they open those blinded eyes and see the simplicity of the message of the cross.

There is the greatest of all miracles that takes place when you are touched by Gods power and you are born again.

Your broken life is exchanged for a new whole one.
Despair turns into hope, darkness becomes light, death is replaced by life! Chaos becomes order and there is harmony and beauty.

Yes the world looks for signs and wonders, but there will never be a more powerful sign that that of the cross. “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Gentiles foolishness”. (1 Corinthians 1:22).