Who Cares About Christ Crucified?
Who Cares About Christ Crucified?
Many of today’s preachers preach about all sorts of things, but the apostle Paul had this to say about the true message from God in 1 Corinthians 1:22-24,
For indeed Jews ask for signs, and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
What’s the big deal about preaching “Christ crucified“? Nobody really cares about that any more. It’s much more fun to watch the kids hunt for Easter eggs, have Easter egg rolls, and see the kids in their cute Easter clothes.
While everyone’s enthralled with the Easter Bunny, God has a poignant picture story for all of us.
The story of “Christ crucified“ has many Old Testament prophecies pointing to it. One story is embedded in the history of Israel being set free from slavery in Egypt, as told in Exodus 12:1-51. It tells about the very first Passover. The Israelites were to take an unblemished, one-year-old lamb and put its blood on the doorposts and lintel of their house. Everyone had to stay inside and eat that roasted lamb while the LORD went over all the houses throughout Egypt and killed the firstborn son in every household that did not have the blood of the lamb distinguishing it from other households.
All those who trusted and followed God’s instructions were safe from death. The unblemished lamb’s blood covering the door to their house was the sign that they were to be saved. And, they were saved. That is the picture we must remember.
We are all sinners deserving of death — eternal death. But, when we trust God’s word to us and follow His instructions to put our faith in the blood of ”Christ crucified“, then Jesus’ blood covers and protects us from eternal death. We are truly totally forgiven of all our sins. Jesus is that sacrificial lamb of God who protects us. So, 1 Peter 1:18-19 tells us,
You were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
We also hear John the Baptist say about Jesus in John 1:29,
Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
We can even read in Revelation 17:14 about the powers of evil fighting this Lamb,
These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.
So, what should we think of this “Christ crucified“? His shed blood protects us. He alone “takes away the sin of the world!” If we arrogantly choose to not trust in God’s word, we will die eternally. If we side in with Jesus through faith, we become “the called and chosen and faithful“, who receive eternal life. This “Christ crucified“ redeems us — i.e. He buys us from our “futile way of life inherited from your forefathers“, with all its consequences.
We have nothing to lose — and everything to gain — by putting our faith in Jesus. That should be all the reason we need for caring about “Christ crucified“. May our resurrection day celebration be filled with the joys of knowing how dearly beloved we are in God’s sight. Then we can say, “Hallelujah! Lamb of God, Your blood cleanses us from all sin and gives us eternal life!”
Love,
Margaret
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Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus by the Yupiq Eskimo village of Quinhagak, Alaska
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… Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus …
A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and GOD of gods
Pray for our country
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The LORD made this day, let us rejoice and be glad in Him.
Psalm 118:24
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The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
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Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
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How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
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Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
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O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
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Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
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Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
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