Stumbling Over The Cross?

Stumbling Over The Cross?

The Apostle Paul said that preaching about “Christ crucified” was a “stumbling block ... and foolishness” to many people. He also said the cross was an “offense” to many (Gal. 5:11). Today this may be hard to understand, since the cross has become the number one religious symbol and fashion item. It has been predominant in church decoration for centuries, but is now also very much in fashion as a jewelry item for everyone from rock stars to church ushers. Market researchers tell us the cross is the most popular design in jewelry worldwide.

Does this mean that the cross is no longer considered as foolishness, a stumbling block or an offense? Has man changed his mind today about the cross and what it represents? Or does it mean that Satan has cunningly manipulated the very symbol of Christ’s sacrificial death to hide the true meaning of the cross from the minds of men? I think it’s the latter. The danger in symbols is that we become so caught up in how they look that we forget what they actually refer to!

The cross is still an offense to those who do not see the shed blood of Christ as necessary for their redemption and peace with God, because it says there is no other way man can stand before a holy and righteous God. And it is still a stumbling block to those who refuse to accept Jesus as the only way to God.

Consider the cross in its biblical simplicity, unadorned by fashion. If the message of the cross still sounds like foolishness to you, the Bible says you are “perishing” (1 Cor. 1:18). If, however, you recognize that the Savior’s death on the cross can save you from your sins, you are on your way to salvation.

If you’d like to know more about the One who died on the cross for you, contact us!

Larry Ondrejack