For the Message of the Cross is…

What does the message of the Cross mean to you?

Is that a loaded question?

I don’t mean for it to be.

This morning I asked my children about the significance of Good Friday? What’s Good Friday all about?

And you know what? They didn’t know.

What?!!

I was shocked, concerned, disappointed.

Had I failed?

Was it the term ‘Good Friday’ that they weren’t familiar with? Could it be that they were mixing it up with other days on the Christian calendar? Surely, they remembered the message of the Cross?

Had I relegated Good Friday and Easter to a once-a-year dinner table discussion? So that time had removed the significance from their minds?

As troubling as those thoughts were, they prompted a deeper question.

What does the message of the Cross mean to me?

I’ve always loved 1 Corinthians 1:18 which speaks about the effect the message of the Cross can have in our lives.

It tells us that on the one hand, the Cross could be pure and utter foolishness.

I mean, who would believe that one man would willingly choose to die an incredibly painful and humiliating death for those who deliberately sought to hurt him? A man who was pure in every way (that alone sounds crazy) but then became sin on the Cross. (1 Peter 2:24)

It makes no sense, right?

Or that his death would have any real significance thousands of years later. Where’s the logic in that?

Well, the Bible tells us that to those who are perishing it makes no sense.

On the other hand, the verse goes on to say that to us who are being saved, the message of the Cross is the power of God.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” – I Corinthians 1:18 NIV

Paul explains that “God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.” 1 Corinthians 1:21

Download a Free copy of the Remember the Cross Devotional.

I don’t pretend to understand it all but one thing I know: by choosing to believe what seems like foolishness to many, my life has been completely transformed.

The message of the Cross has changed the way I live.

The message of the Cross has influenced my choice in a life partner.

The message of the Cross impacts the way I parent my children.

The message of the Cross has empowered me to say no to sins that previously held me hostage.

The message of the Cross encourages me to consider others better than myself.

The message of the Cross inspires me to share the gospel with others.

I could go on, but my point is this, I have been changed for the better because of the Cross.

While my children may not remember the significance of ‘Good Friday’ my prayer is that they see the power of God at work in my life. That the message of the Cross continues to transform me before their very eyes. And that they too may experience the transforming power of the Cross in their lives.

In the meantime, I’ve got some Bible reading to do with them. And today, it’s all about the message of the Cross.

How about you? 

Have you experienced the transforming power of the Cross in your life?

This power isn’t just for an elite few. It’s for you and for me!

Who can you share this message with today?

Wishing you blessings,

Please spread the shine and share this with your friends using the share buttons below. 

Photo credit: Kaboompics .com from Pexels

Before you go, don’t miss this…