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THE CROSS IS SUFFERING AND DEATH, BUT ALSO SALVATION
AND RESURRECTION AND THE WAY TO GOD BY FAITH IN GOD'S SON JESUS CHRIST.
Both then and now, the message of the cross can appear as pure stupidity. Like a meaningless escape from reality. But here lies perhaps the greatest key, the greatest spiritual discovery any human being can make:
"NO. GOD CHOOSE TO DO SOMETHING THAT APPEARS FOOLISH IN THE EYES OF THE WORLD TO
SHUT THE MOUTHS OF THE WISE”
Instead of an idiocy, or stupidity, the cross can be our pride. Others may laugh, but we can say like Paul:
"I AM FULL OF GRATITUDE TO JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD, BECAUSE HE CONSIDERED ME TO BE FAITHFUL AND ENTRUSTED ME WITH THIS SERVICE, WHICH HE HAS ALSO GIVEN ME POWER TO PERFORM." 1 Tim 1:12
The above was what was expressed when Christians began to wear crosses around their necks.
FOR ONE WHO HAS MET JESUS, THE CROSS IS THE GREATEST PRIDE. AT THE CROSS WE MEET GOD IN ALL HIS SELF SACRIFICING LOVE.
There we meet the sacrifice that enables us to call ourselves children of God. There we meet the reality that reminds us that even though the church is under pressure today, Jesus Christ himself has promised to be with us all the days until the end of the world.
"I HAD PRECISELY DECIDED NOT TO TALK ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE
THAN JESUS CHRIST AND HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS.” 1 Corinthians 2:2
We can transform Paul's words into the following modern text:
"Yes, we are Christians, but we are also modern and liberated people. We have been set free by Jesus, and it is Jesus Christ and him crucified that is our primary source of freedom.
"WRITE YOU JESUS ON MY HEART, YOU MY KING AND MY GOD THAT NEITHER DESIRE, NOR PAIN CAN ERASE THIS INSCRIPTION ON ME
JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE CRUCIFIED ONE, MY GLORY AND MY BLESSING SHALL BE!”
Amen
