THE PREACHING OF THE CROSS |
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Every state in the U.S has a state flower and a state tree as symbols. Some also have a state fish, a state stone, even a state insect. Massachusetts has nineteen such symbols. Christianity has only one, the cross. The cross that was a symbol of suffering and shame, has become a symbol of glory and grace. As the songwriter expressed it:
On a hill far away, stood an old rugged cross,
As believers we cherish the old rugged cross. Why? It is because it was there the Lord Jesus gave His life that we all might be saved. The cross in those days was the same as the gallows, electric chair, or gas chamber in our day. One would think it strange that someone would cherish a gas chamber, etc. Yet we cherish the cross because of the Christ of the cross.
I read about the ruins of a castle overlook the village of Durnstein, Austria. It is the Kuenringer castle, destroyed in 1645. But no one calls the castle by that name. Everyone calls it "the Richard the Lion-Hearted castle" because he was held a prisoner there in 1192. The castle is not remembered for its owner but for its prisoner! It is so with the cross. What makes the cross so special is the Christ that died on the cross. Take Christ from the cross and you have nothing but a gory place. Put Christ on the cross and you have a glory place.
In verse 18, Paul spoke of the "preaching of the cross" The word "preaching" actually means "word." (Cp. John 1:1). Paul is talking about the "word" of the cross or the message of the cross. As we consider this text we learn several things about the cross. We find that the message of the cross is:
1. A SAVING MESSAGE
We read in verse 18, "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is power of God." In his book "Written in Blood," Robert Coleman tells the story of a little boy whose sister needed a blood transfusion. The doctor had explained that she had the same disease the boy had recovered from two years earlier. Her only chance for recovery was a transfusion from someone who had previously conquered the disease. Since the two children had the same rare blood type, the boy was the ideal donor.
"Would you give your blood to Mary?" the doctor asked. Johnny hesitated. His lower lip started to tremble. Then he smiled and said, "Sure, for my sister." Soon the two children were wheeled into the hospital room--Mary, pale and thin; Johnny, robust and healthy. Neither spoke, but when their met, Johnny grinned. As the nurse inserted the needle into his arm, Johnny's smile faded. He watched the blood flow through the tube.
With the ordeal almost over, his voice slightly shaky, broke the silence. "Doctor, when do I die?" Only then did the doctor realize why Johnny had hesitated, why his lip had trembled when he'd agreed to donate his blood. He'd thought giving his blood to his sister meant giving up his life. 1
Jesus shed His blood for us and in His case, He had to die. But in so doing, we live. Paul speaks of those that are "saved." The message of the cross is a saving message.
In verse 18, Paul speaks of two different attitudes toward the saving message of the cross. He speaks of how some view the message of the cross with:
A. Absurdity
Paul said in verse 18, spoke of the preaching of the cross as "foolishness" to those who have never been saved. The word "foolishness" gives us our English word "moron." Strictly speaking, the word means "absurdity." To those that are perishing, the message of the cross is a silly message, not a saving message. To some, the ideal of salvation being found only in the cross is absurd and silly. That's why the death of Christ is often maligned, mistreated, and misjudged.
A woman wrote J. Vernon McGee: "Our preacher said that on Easter Jesus just swooned on the cross and that the disciples nursed him back to health. What do you think?" McGee replied, "Dear Sister, beat your preacher with a leather whip for thirty-nine heavy strokes. Nail him to a cross. Hang him in the sun for six hours Run a spear through his heart. Embalm him. Put him in an airless tomb for three days. Then see what happens."
Paul also spoke of those who view the cross with:
B. Affection
Whereas, the preaching of the cross is foolish to those that are unsaved, Paul said in verse 18, "but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." To those that are saved, the message of the cross is not a silly message but a saving message. Those that are saved view the message of the cross with affection because in the cross we see the power of God to save.
A certain man, named Dr. Evan's, was touring Italy. A friend said to him, "There is a blessing you will receive if you will go to thus and such place and see a painting of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Dr. Evan's asked, "What is it like?" The friend said, "Never mind what it is like. I want you to see it. You need to see it, and promise me that you will." Dr. Evan's promised him that he would see the painting. He went to the village where this painting was kept in a chapel. The caretaker said, "You have come to see the painting, haven't you?" Dr. Evan's said, "Why, yes I have." The caretaker led him to the painting. He was not prepared for what he saw. He was looking for a beautiful masterpiece of art. There was Jesus on the cross, but it seemed all out of proportion. It didn't make sense. It seemed somehow to be top heavy. Dr. Evan's said, "I don't understand this painting?" The caretaker replied, "Come closer." He did. The caretaker said, "Get lower." He did. He said, "Come closer." "Get lower." "Come closer." "Get lower." Finally Dr. Evan's found himself kneeling at the very foot of the cross. When he looked up he saw the perspective from which the painting had been made, and realized that it didn't make sense until you kneeled at the cross."
One will never appreciate the message of the cross until they kneel by faith at the foot of the cross. Only then will one understand the saving power of the cross. As the songwriter said:
At the cross, at the cross,
To those that are saved, the cross is not an absurd message. It is the power of God unto salvation. It was there we first saw the light and the heavy burden of sin rolled away. Those who are perishing may view the cross with absurdity, but those that are saved, view the message of the cross with affection.
Secondly, we see that the preaching of the cross is:
2. A SIMPLE MESSAGE
Even though there is great profundity in the message of the cross, there is also great simplicity. The message of the cross is the simple message that Jesus died that men might be saved. It was the simplicity of the message of the cross that some had trouble with. Notice verses 1 Corinthians. 1:19-21, "For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe."
In Paul's words we see that:
A. The Wisdom Of Man Denies The Simplicity Of The Message
Notice again verse 19, "For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." The words "for it is written" indicate Paul is quoting from an Old Testament passage of Isaiah 29:14. In Isaiah 29, we read of how the Assyrians were threatening Judah. There the counselors of the Jewish king advised an alliance with Egypt. Isaiah the prophet appealed to Judah to trust in God alone. Isaiah's counsel was mocked by the scribes of Jerusalem. Instead of trusting God they devised their own programs of personal and social redemption.
The simple message of the cross has often been rejected by men. Instead, many have come up with their own way of salvation. Instead of simply accepting the message of the cross, they say that one must achieve a certain level of works and maintain that level to be saved. Some have advocated extensive rituals and rites as the way of salvation. Instead of accepting the simple message of the cross, the wisdom of men devises other ways of being saved.
In verse 20, Paul refers to certain groups that represented the wisdom of men. He speaks of the wise. He is referring to the Greek philosophers who attempted to influence the makeup of the then known world.
He speaks of the scribe. He refers to those who were originally the copiers of the important documents in Judaism. Because of their familiarity with the literature they persevered, they were also its principal interpreters.
He speaks of the disputer. The word speaks of a debater. Great ability in debate was greatly admired among both the Greeks and the Romans. A man who could think well on his feet and who could cleverly direct a discussion was considered a man of great wisdom.
Each of these groups represented the wisdom of man. They were considered the wisest of wise and the leaders in thought and truth. Yet, Paul tells us in verse 21, "The world by wisdom knew not God." Man in his wisdom could not accept the simple message of the cross, and therefore, they knew not God. They considered it foolish. But in reality, they were the foolish ones. I think of what Paul said in Romans 1:22, "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools." Man can put a man on the moon, clone cows and sheep, design satellites that can watch our every move, but when it comes to God, understanding God, knowing God, man can be a fool. Some of the most brilliant thinkers and intellects of this world are absolutely in the dark when it comes to God. In our world of complexity, it is hard for some to see and accept the simplicity of the message of the cross.
Furthermore he describes how:
B. The Wisdom Of God Displays The Simplicity Of The Message
We read in verse 20, "Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" How has God made foolish the wisdom of this world? We read in verse 21, "It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." By the "foolishness of preaching" the wisdom of man is denounced and the wisdom of God is displayed. He does not say foolish preaching, but that which the wise consider foolish.
Man has his many programs of reformation, education, and information, which are often marked by failure. In a document called, "The Index of Leading Cultural Indicators," former Secretary of Education, William Bennett said, "Since 1960, population has increased 41%; the Gross Domestic Product has nearly tripled: and total social spending by all levels of government…multiplied to…a five-fold increase. But during the same 30 year period there has been a 560% increase in violent crime; more than a 400% increase in illegitimate births; a quadrupling in divorce rates; a tripling of the percentage of children living in single-parent homes; more than 200% increase in the teenage suicide rate; and a drop of almost 80 points in the SAT. scores." He added, "Modern-day social pathologies, at least great parts of them, have gotten worse. They seem impervious to government spending on their alleviation, even very large amounts of spending."
Man's wisdom says, "We have got to have more programs." "We have got to spend more money." "We have got to educate more." But look around; has man's wisdom affected the way men live and behave?
Many years ago a barbers union in Chicago advertised a certain brand of soap, that they claimed would do wonders for anyone who used it. To illustrate the power of their soap, they went down to Madison Street, and found the filthiest drunk they could find, took him to a barber shop and cleaned him up. They shaved him, lathered him with their special soap, took him to a hotel that exclusively used their soap, bought him a new suit and gave him shirts and socks that had been laundered with their special soap. The barbers then published in the newspaper: "See what we have done. We have made a new man with our soap." However, about a week later, page 13 of the local newspaper carried this comment, "The man made over by the barbers union was found last night on Madison Street, drunk, dirty, and disillusioned."
The wisdom of man fails when it comes to making a new man. But whereas man's wisdom has its programs of reformation, education, and information, God has His method of transformation and salvation that can completely alter and change a persons life. What man's wisdom does not see is that it is not government, but God that makes a difference. Man's wisdom says we need to change the dwellings of the poor. But God changes the poor that live in those dwellings.
In verse 18, Paul spoke of the unsaved as "them that perish." The word "perish" does not speak of annihilation. The word better describes that which is ruined. So many of those that are unsaved are characterized by ruined lives.
The Duke of Norfolk was a loyal and loving subject of his esteemed king. As a gesture of friendship he gave the king a priceless Portland vase. It was so highly treasured by the king that he had it placed in the British Museum. In this way, he could share it with his whole kingdom. A household servant of the Duke of Norfolk became envious of him and sought to kill him in order to steal his estate. Finding this out, the Duke banished him. Smoldering with envy, bitterness, and rage, the servant sought to revenge. He chose the Portland vase as the channel for his viciousness. For days he studied the routine of the guards at the British Museum. At a predetermined time, when the guards were being changed, he stepped across the restraining cord and seized the vase. He raised the vase over his head and with all his might, dashed it on the floor. The vase broke into innumerable pieces. The priceless treasure was ruined, or so it would seem. The king ordered all the pieces to be saved. A search was made for someone to restore the vase. At last, a descendant of the maker of the vase was found was possessed such skills. For weeks he labored until at last the vase was restored. Today this vase can be seen in its restored glory in the British Museum. Only on close examination can one detect that it had ever been broken.
The message of the cross is that God can take ruined lives and make them whole again. God can take a bottle out of a man's hand and put a Bible in it. He can take a mouth of profanity and fill it with praises. He can take the nobody and make them somebody. He can take the vile and make them virtuous. He can take the unholy and make them holy.
Here is the amazing thing about it all. God can do all this with the simple message of the cross. Whereas, man in all his wisdom fails, God takes a church service much like this one, in which a choir sings a few songs about a fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel's veins, and a country preacher telling the story of the cross. All that man could not do with all his wisdom, God does with the simple message of the cross.
In this way that God hath made foolish the wisdom of this world. What man could not do in all his wisdom, God can do through the foolishness of preaching a simple message.
Thirdly, notice that the preaching of the cross is:
3. A SEPARATING MESSAGE
Notice verses 22-24, "For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." Paul has spoke of those that are saved and those that are perishing. The difference between the two is the cross. There are those who reject the message of the cross, and those who receive the message of the cross.
Now Paul carries that division a step farther and classifies all men in one of two classes. First, there is
A. The Different Classes Of The Human Race
In verse 22, Paul speaks of the Jews and the Greeks or the Jews and Gentiles. Now all of the human race are classified in one of these two classes. Regardless of one's nationality or race, they fall into one of these categories. Paul also describes in verses 22-23, the different reactions of these classes to the message of the cross. The Jews sought for a "SIGN" and thus considered the message of the cross to be a "stumblingblock." The Jews were looking for a Messiah that would bring them political deliverance. They were looking for someone who restore the kingdom to the glory of the days of David and Solomon. The thoughts of the Messiah dying on a cross was beyond their imagination. The word "stumblingblock" speaks of a "scandal." It was a scandal to speak of the Messiah dying as a common thief on a cross.
The Greeks "sought after wisdom" and considered the message of the cross "foolishness." The message of the cross was a stumblingblock to the Jews and a laughingstock to the Gentiles. They wanted rational proof. They could not understand it, thus did not accept it.
There are the Jews, one class of the human race; and the Gentiles, the other class of the human race. In these classes we put all men, and furthermore, all lost men. Also notice that there is:
B. The Divine Class Of The Human Race
In verse 24, Paul speaks of "them that are called." Paul now speaks of an altogether difference class of people; a class made up of both classes of the human race. He speaks of a Divine class. Paul mentioned this new class in 1 Corinthians 10:32, "Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the Church of God." He adds the "Church of God." Who is this class that he is referring to? It is those who have received the message of the cross. It is a class of people that have been saved, the church of God. They are the ones, as stated in verse 24, are testimonies of the power of God and the wisdom of God. I am glad that I am in this class.
The message of the cross is a separating message. It separates from all classes of the human race those that have rejected the message of the cross and those that have received the message of the cross. The cross saves some, but it separates all. The cross is the great divide.
Paul sums it all up in verse 25, "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men." What unsaved men viewed as foolish is really wise. What unsaved men deprecate as weak is actually strong. Have you received the saving, simple, and separating message of the cross?
Centuries ago on the south coast of China, high on a hill overlooking a harbor, Portuguese settlers built an enormous cathedral. They placed upon the front wall of this cathedral a massive bronze cross that stood high into the sky. A few years later, a typhoon pushed the cathedral into the ocean. All that survived was the bronze cross.
Centuries later, there was a shipwreck. One man, Sir John Bowring, was one of the survivors. As he was hanging onto wreckage from the ship, disoriented, frightened, not knowing where land was, he spotted in the distance that bronze cross. Later he wrote:
In the cross of Christ I glory,
It is in the message of the cross of Christ that we glory. |