Christ Crucified

Dear Brethren,

Each year we prepare ourselves before Passover.   We look into the Scriptures in order to examine ourselves and measure ourselves.   The word, “crucified,” appears over forty times in the New Testament.  It is a reference to the death of Jesus Christ.  We need to be careful not to miss out on the deeper inspired meaning of Christos staurooChrist crucified.   When Paul says, "we preach Christ crucified,” what does that mean?  “Christ crucified,” encompasses the entire spectrum of conversion and salvation for those who follow Christ’s teachings.  “Christ crucified,” contains the entire Gospel message.  Notice how Paul said, “For I determined not to know anything among you, except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.”  (1 Corinthians 2:2)

Jesus Christ came and died.  Why did Christ have to die?  Why did He come to this earth and die the most excruciating death?  (Even our English word, “excruciate” has its derivation from “cruciare,” meaning to crucify.)  The Scriptures show that Jesus died to set us free.  Jesus said, "If ye continue in my word... ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ”  (John 8:32)  Set us free from what?  Liberate us from what?  Aren't we Americans, the freest people on earth?  Do we need to be set free?  I think we are like the boasting Pharisees of Jesus’ day who “… answered [Jesus] saying, We are Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?”  (John 8:33)  Bondage and freedom are opposites.  Let's understand that unless we grasp the meaning and intent of, "Christ Crucified," we are still in bondage like the Pharisees.

“Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever commits sin is the servant of sin. [Peter and Paul elaborate on this concept in 2 Peter 2 and Romans 6.]   And the servant abides not in the house for ever: but the Son abides ever.  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”  (John 8:34-36)  How do we gain this freedom we so desperately need?  It is the Son, Jesus Christ, who is able to make us free.

I do not know what image or impression Paul conjured up in his mind when he used the word crucified, but its meaning is extremely significant to us.  Paul wrote, “Christ sent me [Paul was an apostle - one sent]… to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the [crucifixion] of Christ should be made of none effect.  For the preaching of the [crucifixion] is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are being saved it is the power of God… But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness.”  (1 Corinthians 1:17-23)  Paul was saying in effect, "Nobody is getting it except those who are being saved."

Jesus Christ is the Power of God and the Wisdom of God to those in whom God’s Spirit resides.  Therefore, Christians are able to gain the power and wisdom to overcome human nature, to prevail over sin in the world, and to stand against Satan.  Paul shows that this is true for all who have repented of their sins, have faith in Jesus Christ, have been baptized, and received God’s Holy Spirit.

Paul put it this way, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.”  (Galatians 2:20)  Jesus was crucified that we might be set free from sin and the bondage of death.  We can say the same thing that Paul said, “Christ took my place and died in my stead and on my behalf that I may live.”

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Sermon:  "Christ Crucified"

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