Christ Crucified

The Apostle Paul wrote to the saints of Corinth that the message which they preached was "Christ crucified" (see I Corinthians 1:23) - a message that only has meaning/significance to those whom God has called. To those who have not been "called" by God (both Jew and Gentile), Paul said that this message presented and impediment or represented foolishness (depending on their particular perspective about the Hebrew God). For Christians, however, the apostle said that the message about Christ's sacrifice represents the power and wisdom of God (see verse 24). And Paul went on to remind the Corinthians that what many consider to be God's foolishness and weakness actually demonstrates God's infinite superiority to our "wisdom" and "strengths" as humans (verse 25).

Hence, as we are rapidly approaching the time when the events surrounding Christ's death will be remembered by Christians, it is incumbent upon all of us to consider what Jesus Christ has done for us (Christians). Many years before Christ was born, Isaiah wrote: "He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth." (see Isaiah 53:5-7) And, while the offering of such a sacrifice for human sins may seem illogical and unnecessary to those outside of the Church, Christians everywhere should glory in what our Savior did for us - especially at this time of the year (the same time of the year that those tragic/triumphant events transpired so long ago).