A Stumbling Block to Many

“Brothers and sisters: Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” (1 Corinthians 1:22-25)

Because the cross does not follow human reason, it is an obstacle, a scandal, a stumbling block to many. The cross divides humankind into two parts, those who reject it and those who accept its message and are experiencing the power of God. Suffering, the message of the cross, is certainly one of the greatest human mysteries. This mystery, expressed in Jesus’ passion, is at the center of the gospel preaching. As humans, we want to solve this mystery. Some see suffering as a punishment for sin and others believe innocent suffering reveals an unjust God. Even those of us who believe in Jesus Christ still stumble. At times we fall back into trying to earn God’s acceptance. We think our goodness will earn for us freedom from suffering and hardship-true salvation. However, the Cross of Christ rejects our self-sufficiency, our best efforts are intrinsically selfish and it declares our efforts null and void.

The cross declares our need for a savior. The cross is our most precious treasure because it frees us from ourselves. We look upon our suffering Savior and realize that our sins and selfishness put him there. That ultimately, Jesus is bearing on the cross our just punishment for our sins. Our own selfishness, our desire to be first and foremost, our self-absorption, self-concern, and self-conceit put Jesus there. The cross breaks us of our pride as we witness God’s love poured out in Christ. He took our place, bore our sins and died our death. The cross does not have to be a stumbling block. The cross is mine and your most precious treasure. The love of God is displayed in all its glory there. “He indeed died for all, so that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” (2 Corinthians 5:15)