1 Corinthians
1:22-25—The fulfillment of God’s law
in the cross. The crucified Christ is preached as the power and wisdom of God.
The message of Christ crucified has difficulty in gaining a sympathetic hearing
in the world. Both Jews and Greeks were opposed to it. The Jews demanded a sign
and found the cross to be a stumbling block. The Jews asked how God’s Son, the
Messiah, could die on a cross, reserved for the worst criminals. Moreover, the
Jews looked for signs in terms of their being spectacular and startling.
How could Jesus be the Messiah when He came as one
meek and lowly and refusing to use violence?
The Greeks, too, were hostile to the cross, for they wanted wisdom. But
to them the message of the cross was foolishness. In spite of this hostile
environment, Paul is determined to preach Christ crucified; the power and
wisdom of God.
What do Christians do? They “preach.” What do they preach? They preach “Christ crucified.” What is in this account of an innocent man
meeting his death on a cross? Christians know that this death expressed the
infinite love of God for sinners who by faith are reconciled to God.
A Prayer for humility: O God, You
resist the proud and give grace to the humble. Grant us true humility after the
likeness of Your only Son that we may never be arrogant and prideful and thus
provoke Your wrath but in all lowliness be made partakers of the gifts of Your
grace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.[1] -04 March
2021
[1] Collect for Humility, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St., Louis
Illustration “The Crucifixion”
is taken from a woodcut by Baron Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a
distinguished German artist known especially for his book, The Book of Books
in Pictures. © WLS Permission granted for personal and congregational use.
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