Foolish Cross

"For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved" (1 Corinthians 1:18 CSB)

I have had many conversation with people who hear the message of the cross and dismiss it immediately.  To them the idea of needing to be rescued from themselves and from sin seems silly.  Even the idea of God sending his Son to die on the cross seems crazy, especially to die for a stranger.  It’s easier for them to dismiss the whole story as a fairy tale--made up to appease people than to admit their need.  The cross is foolishness to them.  The sad reality such people have been blinded to the gospel, they cannot see the glory of Christ for their minds have been blinded. (2 Cor. 4:4) They are being kept from seeing truth, they are blind and cannot see. 

As a result of their blindness they are perishing, the “wages of sin is death”.   (Rom. 6:23) Those who are in the bondage to sin are blinded by the effects of sin.  They are blind slaves to the desires of their heart and the ways of the world.  The reason the cross is the power of God to those who are being saved is because God has shined a light into the darkness of their hearts and has shone the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.  (2 Cor. 4:6) The veil has been lifted from our hearts and they can now see and understand their need for the cross.  They can see their sinfulness and can see their need for a savior. 

They also realize they’re powerless to save themselves and need to be rescued. The person on the roof of his house during a flood doesn’t need to be reminded of the rising water, he needs to be rescued. He will forever be thankful for the power of the pilot and crew who were able to pull him from flood.  The one being saved understands his need for salvation and recognizes the one who does the saving.  This morning give thanks for the cross and its ability to save you through Jesus Christ, who gave his life so that you could have life.