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
it such a lightening rod of controversy? We are beginning to see 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. In the death and
resurrection of the cross the power of God is released upon 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, 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, and 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
