|
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 stauroo – Christ 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.”
***
Sermon: |
"Christ Crucified" |
|
|
|