March 31

1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV)
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

I think sometimes that we would rather talk about whether we should worship with hymns or modern worship songs than talk about the cross of Christ. What I mean is that we are so easily drawn away from the central message of the Gospel by so many other issues. Actually, I was surprised to learn that the debate still rages about the style of worship. Really? Is that what the academia of Christianity is still talking about?

The central message of the Gospel has to do with the invasion of the Kingdom of God on this earth. Jesus said it all the time, “if I cast out a demon by the finger of God then the Kingdom of God has come upon you”. The centrality of this powerful reign of God on earth is the cross of Christ. Through the cross we enter into – everything! All the promises, the forgiveness, the power, the ministry, the advancement of the Kingdom are all done to us and through us because of the cross. We take communion to remind us of the cross, of what a great sacrifice of love it was and what great benefits it brought to us.

So if I align myself with the cross and its proclamation, do I become a fool for Christ? Do I become foolish in the site of this world? Probably – yes. The question is, who do we want to be considered wise by? The world or God Almighty? To the world I may be considered weak and a fool, that is o.k., God considers me His son. It’s a good trade.