LEARNING DAILY

 

1 Corinthians 15:3-4, For I delivered to you first of all that which I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose on the third day according to the Scriptures,

 

If you were discussing Christianity with someone who did not have any knowledge of its beliefs or doctrines, what would you consider to be the most important belief?  Let me narrow this down.  In Paul’s statement above which of the three happenings would you consider the most important?  The entire gospel is given to us in these two verses.  DJSB tells us, “Here is the standard by which every definition of the gospel must be measured.  It must include four elements: Christ’s death, burial, resurrection as well as the testimony of the witnesses of the Resurrection.” The remaining verses of 1 Corinthians 15 examine the resurrection and witnesses to it. 

 

Yet, it is the cross that draws us.  I have been amazed at the different places that sell crosses.  They come in all styles.  They can be found with mosaic tiles decorating them.  They can be found with neat rocks decorating them.  Some have been made out of tin or some other metal, and some even have little mirrors in them.  Some have Jesus still on the cross; I suppose to keep people thinking about what He did there.  I don’t care for those very much.  Rock stars who sing about immoral living wear them. Why?  I wear a necklace with a cross hanging from it and you might do the same thing.  Or you might wear a cross pin or earrings that are a cross.

 

But, the cross at Calvary was anything but glamorous!  All of you know the cross was rugged because we have at least heard the song The Old Rugged Cross.  The cross is not new to people.  Throughout history people have had to think about it and decide what to do with it.  Most have probably ignored it or wanted nothing to do with it.  Yet, it cannot be ignored, can it!  Max Lucado has written this, “No one can ignore it!  You cannot ignore a piece of lumber that suspends the greatest claim in history.  A crucified carpenter claiming that he is God on earth? Divine? Eternal? The Death Slayer?  No wonder Paul called it “the core of the gospel.’ Its bottom line is sobering: if the account is true, it is history’s hinge. Period.  If not, it is history’s hoax.  That is why the cross is what matters.”

 

When was the last time you reflected on the cross? What do you think about when you do?  Is it just a nice decoration for your wall?  Do you think about the splinters, the agony, the suffering, the ridicule that took place there?  Do you give any thought to the Son of God taking your rightful place there?  “Being religious without knowing the cross is like owning a Mercedes with no motor.” (Max Lucado).   

 

In light of events happening all around us and after a study of The Revelation it is good to take a look at the cross and perhaps those who were there.  Perhaps you need to be refreshed like I do about the cross.  Perhaps you know others who might need to read the blog!  If so, pass it on.

                                                                                                                 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible.