The message of the cross.

1 Corinthians 1: 18

For 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.

Introduction;

Here is a short meditation this easter time, where we can think about what the cross is, what it's message and what its symbolism means to us.

To the Jews of the 1st Century it was a cursed thing to be hung on a tree in such a way. The Romans themselves while administering it as a form of capital punishment never talked about it. Even they thought of it as a despicable and cruel way to die and they eventually outlawed this method of execution.

We today wear crucifixes around our necks as a form of jewellery, but it does not cross our minds to wear a hangman's gallows or guillotine around our necks.

So if we don't think about the cross as a method of execution anymore. Do we remember the act of Jesus dying on the cross, what he went through and remind ourselves of why he did it.

Politics:

He didn't do it for political reasons, because Jesus was not a Politician and therefore wasn't making a political statement to the people of the time. Anyway Politicians are far too selfish to sacrifice themselves in such a way. To die this way would be THE END. Just like in the movie credits.

Revolution:

Jesus wasn't a revolutionary committed to a cause, that cause to restore the throne of David and kick out the despicable Romans. Anyway the leader dying this way would not exactly have helped his cause. To die this way it would be THE END. Just like in the movie credits.

BUT, Jesus was revolutionary in what he said and taught. One of the things he said was " The only way to the father is through me" and so Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice in order that we can have a restored relationship with God-his father- who created the universe and everything in it.

I will tell you what it means to me personally;

Paraphrasing GK Chesterton; When I look at the cross, I think about what Jesus said and did while he was with us and now every time I see a sparrow, or a lily or a lamb, every time I see a shepherd, or a blind man or even a lame person. Such is my mindset that when I see these things I think of Jesus this man from Galilee. Every time I see a crucifix I am reminded of what Jesus did for me.

But I am also reminded that Jesus isn't on the cross anymore, and why?

It is not foolishness- because it wasn't THE END of the story it was just the beginning.

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