Wednesday, February 21, 2018
1 Corinthians 1:22-25 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, 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.
WE PREACH CHRIST CRUCIFIED … TO THE JEWS A STUMBLING BLOCK (2)
As Paul countered the supposed wisdom of the Greeks who considered the preaching of Christ crucified foolishness, he referred to the fact that "Jews request a sign…" When the Lord Jesus walked among the Jews, He gave them many "signs." He healed the sick, opened the eyes of the blind, raised the dead, and preached the gospel to the poor. But they wanted a different kind of sign because they wanted a different kind of Messiah. They wanted a liberator from Roman rule rather than a Savior from sin.
Consider the exchange Jesus had with the scribes and Pharisees when they told Him: "Teacher, we want to see a sign from You. But He answered and said to them, An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth…" (Matthew 12:38ff).
As then, so now. A crucified and risen Christ remains a stumbling block to many. If they want any "gospel" at all, it is a "social gospel." They look for a Christ who will end wars, eliminate poverty, banish suffering, assure civil rights (a "theology of glory"), not a Savior who suffers and dies for them, calls them to discipleship, including to take up their cross and follow Him (a "theology of the cross").
How blest are the truly wise who know that Jesus never promised to make this fallen world a better place to live; rather, He said He came to give His life as a ransom for many.
Drawn to the Cross, which Thou hast blessed With healing gifts for souls distressed,
To find in Thee my life, my rest, Christ crucified, I come.
Thou knowest all my griefs and fears, Thy grace abused, my misspent years;
Yet now to Thee with contrite tears, Christ crucified, I come.
Wash me and take away each stain; Let nothing of my sin remain.
For cleansing, though it be through pain, Christ crucified, I come.
And then for work to do for Thee, Which shall so sweet a service be
That angels well might envy me, Christ crucified, I come.
(Lutheran Service Book, 560)
