Listen

The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are being destroyed. But it is the power of God for those of us who are being saved. It is written in scripture: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will reject the intelligence of the intelligent. Where are the wise? Where are the legal experts? Where are today’s debaters? Hasn’t God made the wisdom of the world foolish?

1 Corinthians 1:18-20

Think

If you are like most of us, we have crosses around our neck, hanging on the walls, or sitting on shelves. Many are for art purposes, we’ve purchased some on mission trips, and some were given to us as gifts whether to wear or hang. Most have sentimental value for sure.

When we read the first sentence of our scripture passage, “the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are being destroyed. But it is the power of God for those of us who are being saved,” it should surely make us think differently and maybe look at the collection of crosses in a new way. What is the message of the cross? Jesus lived the way of love. The powerful around him didn’t like this way of life, and they killed him on the cross. God’s power is love, and Jesus’ resurrection showed that love is more powerful than anything. When we look at the crosses around us, may they remind us to seek the way of love, following the ways of Jesus.

Ellen Sechrest

Question to Ponder:

Look wisely at the cross in light of Lent. What does it mean to you as we journey toward the cross of Christ?

Pray

Lord,

may our eyes rest on the cross as we interact with people.

May we make good choices because the world needs to know of your love.

Amen.

Go

May we keep the cross before us and not just during Lent. Let the cross guide our words, our deeds, and our heart’s desires.