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REFLECTION

“We preach Christ Crucified” is the theme for our reflection. Dying by crucifixion in ancient times was considered a shameful death reserved for criminals and enemies of the state. It was therefore hard for the Jews to believe that a Messiah would save the world through a shameful death on the cross. Again it was unreasonable for the Greeks or gentiles to accept that salvation would come from a person who died an undignified death. Paul makes it clear to the Christians at Corinth that Christ cannot be preached to please the expectation of the Jews and Greek. Paul himself was ignorant in the past, he did not believe that the Messiah died on the cross and thought the Gospel was foolishness, therefore he was against Christians and led their persecution until he had a transformational encounter with Christ. Paul explained, “For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (1 Corinthians 1:22-25)

“We preach Christ crucified ” reminds us of the fact that Jesus Christ has taken our shame and condemnation upon Himself so that through repentance and forgiveness from God, we will have eternal life. Jesus assured us that “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:10-11) Truly, without faith, repentance and dominion over our human frailty and depravity, it will be impossible to understand the mercy God has shown to humanity through the crucifixion of Christ. Eliza E. Hewit (1891) summarised the impact of preaching Christ Crucified in the life of both the lost and those who believe in his hymn “My faith has found a resting place”:

My faith has found a resting place,
Not in device or creed;
I trust the ever-living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.

Refrain:
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.

Yes, “it is enough that Jesus died, and that He died for me” through His death on the cross we experience Christ as “… the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 1:24). Jesus is the power of God because through Him we have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to do great exploits. Again, Jesus is the wisdom of God because He is the Word and the perfect example to be followed in overcoming sin and doing the will of God. Our salvation would not have been complete without His shameful and painful death on the Cross. We have been substituted by Christ on the Cross “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1). Dear friend, let us use every opportunity available to us to preach Christ Crucified! Those who do not believe and accept this ultimate and gracious sacrifice God has made for the salvation of humanity, consider it folly or foolishness. We must remember“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18). May the transformational power of Christ’s crucifixion remain active in our lives as believers. Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, strengthen our faith and enable us to preach Christ Crucified so that those who are beyond the walls of salvation will be saved. Amen