Paul proclaims this cross is a stumbling block to Jews and folly to gentiles, BUT to those
who are called it is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
This cross is set before us so no man might boast in the presence of God. God made
Christ the source of our life. He has been made our wisdom, our righteousness, our
sanctification, and our redemption. Therefore, it is written, Let the one who boasts,
boast in the Lord.
My studies from Isaiah 53, Philippians 2, show me a picture of this man, Jesus, who,
though he was in the form of God, made himself nothing. Taking on the form of a
servant, he humbled himself by becoming obedient unto the death on the cross.
The commentary from Keli and Deitsch, point out that this tender shoot who grew up
like a root out of a dry ground, was despised and rejected by men. “The chief men of his
nation who towered above the multitude, the great men of this world withdrew their
hands from him. Drew back from him. He had none of the men of any distinction at his
side”.
We thrive on significance in this world. We seek the honour and approval that comes
from men. Bigger is better, and more is always an indicator of success isn’t it? We
know from the gospel that Jesus did not look for glory from man and cautioned his
disciples to not seek it.
His cross is the divine exchange for all mankind and one we must identify with in order
to serve Him properly. We preach not ourselves BUT Christ crucified and ourselves
your servants for his sake. The cross reminds us of who Jesus was and what He was
willing to give for mankind and He asks nothing less from us; a willingness to serve the
Father and by love serve others by the laying down of our lives for them.
Revelation 12:11 reminds us that we overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of
our testimony because we love not our lives even unto death. In other words, the cross
is our identification with all things in this world that must be suffered to do the will of
God.
Jesus is our example of humility and obedience unto the death of our flesh.
For the joy set before Him, he endured.
There is a message that leads to life and the abundance of all things that Jesus has
provided for us. It is Christ crucified, the power of God and the wisdom of God.
What do I need in my life ~ the power of the cross.
What wisdom do I need? It’s in the message of the cross.
What is the message of the cross but humility and obedience that serves mankind.
Let us preach Christ crucified and help the body of Christ understand the power that is
in the crucified life.
“When we get together I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.” Romans 1:12 NLT
ESV says, ‘mutually encouraged’, in other words, a two way street. Do you ever spend
time with people who do all the talking and never stop to consider you have a life and
challenges you are facing? Life isn’t supposed to be consumed upon ourselves but by
mutual edification we are to build each other up. Oxfords online dictionary says
encourage means to give support, confidence, or hope to (someone). Paul writes from
Romans 15:32 that in coming to them with a heart full of joy ...’we will be an
encouragement to one another.’
The bible word is sumparakaleo (συμπαρακαλέω, 4837), sun, “with,” and No. 1,1.
parakaleo (παρακαλέω, 3870 “to be comforted) and signifies “to comfort together,”
Did you notice how this word is the same word used for the Holy Spirit as our comforter;
parakaleo?
Courage to me always speaks about strength: a heart that is strengthened by the
promises of God to remain stedfast in His way to achieve His purposes. We are
exhorted to be strong in the Lord. We are commanded to pray and not to lose heart.
We are instructed to continually feed upon the word of God for it is our life source.
Today we see when we come together it should be for the purpose of encouraging and
edifying one another. Our person relationships should be a strength to us. They are a
resource God uses to flow through. According to Ephesians it is not simply our
connection to the head, but where the parts connect we find our strength.
Paul understood the necessity of the body. He valued his connections, recognizing his
need for their support and prayers to continue with the work, he sought to always come
to them in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ for their well being.
Mutually encouraged.
Ephesians reminds us that our words are to minister grace to the hearer. In a world
filled with negativity let us remember to partner with the Holy Spirit and be agents of
hope by the encouragement we bring one another.