The Offense Of the Cross
It is no mistake that the Cross is the unmistakable symbol of the faith of Bible believing Christians. Dying on a cross is only for the slaves and other non citizens of the Roman Empire. They invented this means of execution to be as cruel, humiliating and long lasting as possible. It is as unpleasant as can be. Why did God create this means of execution and chose to make the offense of the cross His means to save humanity?
I Corinthians 15 says:
43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
Being executed is the worst but the cross is even more offensive. God’s willingness and success in waking up a lost world is shocking. In this act, Love, Humility and Weakness all raised up to higher heights. Further, God gives new dignity to the lowly. In one sweep, the shame of the cross turns each of us and this world on its head.
Let’s lean in to the offense of the Cross and walk away redeemed and inspired
It wasn’t an accident that the Romans developed such a means to terrorize the subjects they oppressed. It was not failure that Rome conquered Judea in 63BC. God’s goal was to draw in a lost world.
God surely needed to redeeem us, but the method of His death also shocked us enough to start to change the world and make it a softer kinder place. Think how often Jesus offended people in this way. He accepted the tears and touch of the prostitute and the leaper.
Be sure that the Triune God is tougher that the toughest father and more comforting than the kindest mother.
The cross is terrible as God hates sin just this much. At the cross we see His fierce justice and deep mercy all in one single terrible act.
May we never grow tired of the cross. May its offense ever move us to greater devotion and love for God and a lost world.
