“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV).
It is God’s plan that the “word of the cross” should enliven human hearts, yet it is also that which certifies that others are already dead. We may try to use human wisdom to reason and persuade, but it is the gospel message of the cross that moves people to faith. Yet it is also the gospel that reveals others to be lost by their rejection of the message. Only the message of the cross has the power to show we are already dead in our sins before making us alive in Christ. This message is a stumbling block to some and foolishness to others, but to us who are being saved it is the very power of God.
In 1707, an Englishman named Isaac Watts wrote the hymn, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” The first verse declares his response to the cross of Christ,
“When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.”
What is your response?
PRAYER: Dear Father, the cross causes us to look upon the terrible ugliness of our sin while at the same time, seeing the depth of Your love for us. It causes us to sing in worship: “See, from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down. Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?” Thank you for the word of the cross. In Jesus’ name, amen.