THE GLORY OF THE CROSS!

THE GLORY OF THE CROSS!

Gal 6:14-15

14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

         The Politics of the Cross: What is it about the cross that makes is such a lightening rod of controversy? I read not long ago an article that told of the desecration of Christian graves and crosses by Muslim zealots. Perhaps it was the sign of the crusades which still enrages the Muslim world but the Psalmist, I think, has a better explanation for the geo-political animosity to the cross.

Ps 2:1-4

2 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord , and against his anointed, saying,

3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

         The Person of the Cross: Paul knew the power of the cross. Jesus Christ is mentioned 45 times in the book of Galatians which means that one third of all the verses contain some mention of Christ. Christ had completely captivated Paul. The cross was an instrument of cruelty, horror and shame until Jesus hung thereon.

          The Power of the Cross: To Paul, a learned Jewish rabbi, the teaching of the cross was foolish. The Jews expected Messiah to come and rule by restoring the kingdom but the idea of Messiah dying on the cross was completely foreign to them because they could not understand portions like Isaiah 53. In the death and resurrection of the cross the power of God is released to defeat the world, the flesh and the devil. The power of the cross is redemption and victory.

         The Purpose of the Cross: The cross temporarily set aside the nation of Israel so that the gentiles might be grafted into the vine. Verse 15 says: For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision [Judaism] availeth anything, nor uncircumcision [being a gentile], but a new creature. The cross established a new method of relationship with God. The cross levels the playing field because now there is no racial or national advantage. The cross ushered in the age of “whosoever.”

         We may roll the thunders of eloquence, we may scatter the flowers of poetry, we may diffuse the light of science, we may enforce the precepts of morality, from the pulpit. But if we do not make Christ the great subject of our preaching, we have forgotten our errand and shall do no good. Satan trembles at nothing but the cross: at this he does tremble. And if we would destroy his power and extend that holy and benevolent kingdom, which is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, it must be by means of the cross."

   -- J. A. James (as quoted by) -- Charles Haddon Spurgeon, The Quotable Spurgeon, (Wheaton: Harold Shaw Publishers, Inc, 1990)

Dear Lord, today let my focus be upon your cross. AMEN