FacebookEmail
logo
  • Articles Home
  • Return to Chapman Acres Home page
  • About Us

Category Archives: The Crucifixion

God’s Wisdom in the Cross

19th February, 2017 · Chapman · Leave a comment

The cross is such a fundamental part of what Christianity professes that it can become all too easy for us to pass it over without much thought. The cross? Of course it is vital. Of course we must preach it. Yet how often do we let the power and wisdom of the cross sink in and affect us in a practical way? Take another look at the first two chapters of 1 Corinthians.

Writing within 25 years of the actual events, Paul writes, “The word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1:18). “God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe” (1:21). To the Jews, the cross is a stumbling block; to Greeks it is foolishness. But to those who are called, whether Jew or Greek, “Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1:24-25). He continues into chapter two with the same theme. It is a theme that runs consistently through Scripture: God chooses that which appears to be weak and makes it strong so that all may see that God is ultimately to be glorified.

But the cross? How does this manifest His wisdom and power? While there may be a number of ways to answer this question, please think about the following:

1. The cross shows God’s wisdom through a demonstration of the horror of sin on the one hand, and the power of His love on the other. The crucifixion of Jesus is the “show and tell” of what God thinks about sin. It is also the strongest demonstration of His love for a lost world (Rom 5:6-11). God abhors sins, and Jesus despised the shame associated with the cross, but it is due to sin that Jesus went to the cross. Hatred and love are equally demonstrated. What greater way to show both to a world that needs to understand both? Such a display shows the foolishness of mankind in taking part in sin, but also shows the extent to which God goes to show His love and bring us back to Him.

2. The cross shows God’s wisdom in that it demonstrates that the message really did come from Him. This point actually serves an apologetic purpose. Think about it. Who in the world would have dreamed up the idea of a Savior of the world dying on a cross? This is a not a message that the Jews would have concocted or accepted, for “cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” (Deut 21:23; Gal 3:13). The idea that a few Jews just made the story up and were then able to sell it so successfully is beyond credulity. Further, this is not a message that Gentiles would have made up. To think that pagan Gentiles would dream up a story of a crucified Jewish Savior is ludicrous. Neither the Jewish culture nor the Greek culture of the time can explain the story of Jesus as the crucified King who can save the whole world from sin. This is a message that can find plausible explanation only in the wisdom of God.

3. The cross displays the wisdom and power of God because it is only the first part to the story. Implied in the idea of God’s power is the resurrection. Paul did not only preach a dead Jesus. He preached a Jesus who overcame death. He preached a Jesus who “became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption” (1:30). “Christ and Him crucified” does not end at the cross itself, as if the cross, and the cross alone, did the job. God wanted to demonstrate His power in a way that could not be feasibly denied. Jesus didn’t just faint. He didn’t die in His sleep. He was violently executed in the worst and bloodiest manner. To be raised up after that would indeed be a great display of power. By the end of Paul’s epistle, the resurrection is exactly what he argues (ch. 15). God’s wisdom and power are vindicated through the death and resurrection of Jesus!

The cross is not made up by mere men. If men concocted the story of salvation we would undoubtedly see something very different from a Roman cross. We might see something akin to the pagan myths. Yet contrary to what we sometimes hear, the story of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus is not the stuff that make up the myths. It is much simpler and based in actual time and space history. The wisdom of God displayed through the cross is a demonstration of God Himself breaking into history to deal directly with sin and evil, and to show His creation how much He desires for us to be in His fellowship.

By Doy Moyer

Posted in Bulletin Articles, Faith, Plan of Salvation, Salvation, The Crucifixion, The Life of Christ, The Power of God, The Wisdom of God |

The Lord’s Supper

17th April, 2016 · Chapman · Leave a comment

Christians seeking to follow the New Testament pattern gather each first day of the week to eat the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7). They also realize that this Supper is to be eaten in remembrance of Jesus’ death and with a full awareness of what they are doing (1 Corinthians 11:23- 29). Since those who eat and drink in an unworthy manner become weak, sick and even spiritually dead (1 Corinthians 11:30), the disciple who does the opposite and partakes in a worthy manner finds in the Lord’s Supper and its communion with the body and blood of Jesus (1 Corinthians 10:16) an opportunity to be strengthened spiritually.

The following thoughts are intended to help each to examine himself and partake of this divinely given feast in a way that will please God and at the same time be beneficial to him. In the following meditations the greatest benefits will be obtained by those who can personalize each thought as Paul did in Galatians 2:20 when he wrote of Jesus “who loved me and gave himself for me.” Please read each mediation as having direct and personal reference to you.

Meditate on the Following…

Jesus left the glories of heaven. What kind of love was required to move One to leave a place of perfection and come to this world,

especially when He knew the suffering He would face? “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9)

See Him as He was “exceedingly sorrowful” at Gethsemane. Appreciate the agony as He prayed that the cup might pass from Him, but insisted that He would carry through with the Father’s will so that sinners might be saved. (Matthew 26:36-44)

Imagine the pain and disappointment as Judas betrays Him; the other disciples forsake Him and flee; and Peter denies three times that he even knows Him. (Matthew 26:47-56, 69-75)

Go with Jesus as He is mocked, blindfolded (Mark 14:65), spat on, and slapped. (Matthew 26:67, 68)

Try to feel some of the pain He experienced when the brutal scourging cut the flesh of His back. Think about the humiliation of the scarlet robe, crown of thorns, and reed scepter. And don’t forget why He did it. (Matthew 27:26-31)

See Him carrying His cross to Calvary (John 18:17) and remember that bearing your cross for Him (Luke 9:23) is a reasonable request from One who literally bore His cross for you.

At Calvary the Lord was subjected to shame and humiliation as His clothes were stripped from Him and divided among the soldiers. Insults continued to be hurled at Him. And of course He suffered that horrible, incredibly painful death on the cross (Matthew 27:35-51). “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

All these thoughts are deserving of consideration during the Lord’s Supper, but there is more. While this memorial is intended to be a time of serious reflection, it is not intended to be a depressing experience. Consider a few more meditations celebrating the victory Jesus has gained for all who accept His grace.

Travel with Mary Magdalene and the other women to the tomb on Sunday morning and see their joy when they learn that He has risen. Watch Thomas’ doubts disappear as he proclaims, “My Lord and My God!” (John 20:28)

Walk with the apostles out to the Mount of Olives and see the risen Savior ascend into heaven (Acts 1:4-12) to be highly exalted and given the “name which is above every name.” (Philippians 2:8-11)

Rejoice in the fact that while in heaven He serves as a sympathizing mediator, knowing the struggles you face. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

Allow the Lord’s Supper to remind you that He is coming again to deliver His people and allow them to live with Him forever. “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). Also see 2 Thessalonians 2:6-10; 1 Peter 1:3-9; et al.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Think on these things.

By John Gibson

Posted in Bulletin Articles, Salvation, The Crucifixion, The Life of Christ, The Lord's Supper, Worship |

Archives

Categories

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 6 other subscribers

© Chapman Acres
  • Chapman Acres Church of Christ
  • About Us