The Offensive Enigma of The Cross Mark 6:1-4 He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. (2) And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? (3) Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us? And they took offense at him. (4) And Jesus said to them, A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household. Ya know.. Jesus really needs some help with marketing. He clearly doesnt know people or understand how to get their attention or adoration. He talks about death to self, seems to always be negative about really fun things in this world, and is continually prattling on about putting the needs of others ahead of our own. And what’s this junk about “forgiveness” and “mercy” that He talks about all the time? I mean… does He even have a clue about how much hurt, pain and disease there is down here or how unfair life can be? Its almost like there were things more important than popularity, pleasure or peace to Jesus... 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, (4) that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, (5) and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. (6) Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. (7) Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. (8) Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. There is nothing simpler to explain than the message of the Gospel yet it the most offensive message in the world. The intellectual philosopher puts on his eyeglasses to examine the Gospel and rejects it due to the simplicity and commonness of it. “I’m equal to a child or an uneducated savage? I think not!” At the heart of the Gospel is a declaration of mercy, kindness and meekness yet brutal wars have been fought because of it. Though it is a message of peaceful familial unity it has broken many family circles and brought much division and discord into homes. It offends the proud, the self-righteous, the religious and breeds rebellion in these very hearts in its dogmatically bold declaration of “I ALONE am the Way, Truth, and Life!” and “Apart from Me you can do nothing”. I “get it” that the Gospel is offensive. It offended me in my religiosity. It has caused division and separation in my own extended family. I can remember being at a magic show one time and in horror realizing that it was actually an evangelistic event. I could see that what the preacher was saying at the end was resonating with my wife so I gripped her leg when he gave the invitation to trust Christ along with a withering look that said “Don’t you dare!” Most people won’t make it this far in the writing because it’s been too long and it’s boring. It won’t get more than a small handful of “likes” (if any) but popularity and endorsement are not the motivating factors for why I write. Instead, it’s out of worship and a desire to publically declare my thanks to Christ for coming to me in my pit and rescuing me from my sin. It’s to declare my praise to Him for saving me despite my rebellion and indifference toward Him. And here’s what’s the most exciting to me; if He can save a wretch like me and overcome this sinners heart… then why not anybody else?! Why not you? Why not your children, your spouse, your neighbors, your friends? Or your enemies? It’s ironic that the target audience for this writing is actually the person who’ll never read it and for some weird reason that brings a smile to my face and peace to my heart. Why? Because God is BIGGER and the Gospel is STRONGER than the rejection of man and my prayer today is that for every person who doesn’t have the time for the things of God that He will rudely and boldly intervene and do what only He can do to get the attention of mankind off themselves and onto His Son at the Cross. Be encouraged, and don’t lose hope, dear friend. Sin isn’t our greatest enemy; hopelessness is and the weapon we war against it is our faith. 1Peter 1:8-9 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, (9) obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. You are loved! Shon Bruellman
Posted on: Mon, 30 Jun 2014 17:34:05 +0000