1 Corinthians 1:18 - Why Did He Die?
1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV) 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.
INTRODUCTION
Paul summarizes Isaiah 29:14 to emphasize a
point Jesus often made: God's way of thinking is
not like the world's way (normal human wisdom).
And God offers eternal life, which the world can
never give. We can spend a lifetime accumulating
human wisdom and yet never learn how to have a
personal relationship with God. We must come to the
crucified and risen Christ to receive eternal life and
the joy of a personal relationship with our
Savior. [Life Application SB]
COMMENTARY PEARL
The Message of The Cross... Is The Power of
God.
We can never grasp the horror of human
sin until we realize it caused the Son of God to
be crucified. Not Pilate, not Judas, not the
mob - but sin.
The ravages of war and poverty, the
wrenching pain of loneliness and rejection. The
haunting cry of the orphan and widow, the dying gasps
of the world's starving - these and a thousand
other tragedies all bear witness to the fact that
we live in a world poisoned by sin.
And that is why Jesus died. The terrible,
bitter cup of humanity's sin sent Him to the Cross.
Jesus prayed in those last hours, "O, My Father,
if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me;
nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will" (Matt.
26:39). There was no other way. Why did He drink
that awful cup? So you and I would not have to.
Sin is the second most powerful force in
the universe, for it sent Jesus to the Cross.
Only one force is greater - the love of God.
[Hope for Each Day by Billy Graham]
COMMENTARY
Why the Cross?
A true story was reported about a couple
visiting a jewelry store. As the jeweler showed them
various crosses, the woman commented, "1 like these,
but do you have any without this little man on
them?"
That is what so many people want today: a
cross without Jesus. They want a cross without any
offense - one that will look cool with their
outfits. But if we could travel back in time and see
the cross in its original context, we would
realize that it was a bloody and vile symbol. It
would have been the worst picture imaginable to
see someone hanging on a cross.
The Romans chose crucifixion because it
was meant to be a slow, torturous way to die. It
was designed to humiliate a person. The
crucifixions outside Roman cities served as warnings to
anyone who would dare oppose the rule of Rome.
If there had been any other way, do you
think that God would have allowed His Son to
suffer like this? If there had been any other way
we could have been forgiven, then God surely
would have found it. If living a good moral life
would get us to heaven, then Jesus never would
have died for us. But He did - because there was
and is no other way. He had to pay the price for
our sin. At the cross, Jesus purchased the
salvation of the world.
If you ever were tempted to doubt God's
love for you, even for a moment, then take along,
hard look at the cross. Nails did not hold Jesus
to that cross; His love did. [Every Day with
Jesus by Greg Laurie]
God's Dynamite
There is explosive power in the message
of the gospel because Paul says, "It is the
power of God at work, saving everyone who
believes... " (Romans 1:16, NLT). The word power that
Paul used in this verse originates from the Greek
word dunamis. It is the same word Jesus used in
Acts 1:8: "But you will receive power [dunamis]
when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will
be my witnesses, telling people about me
everywhere" (NLT). The English words dynamic, dynamo,
and dynamite also have been translated from this
word dunamis. Paul was saying the very message of
the gospel is the dynamite and dynamic of God.
We often underestimate the raw power of
the gospel in reaching even the most hardened
heart. We think we need to add to it, dress it up,
make it ultracontemporary, gloss it over, or even
complicate it. But there is distinct power in the
simple message of the life, words, death, and
resurrection of Jesus Christ. Never underestimate its
appeal. Never be ashamed of its simplicity. Never
add to it or take away from it. Just proclaim
it, and then stand back and watch what God will
do. As Paul said, "The message of the cross is
foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But
we who are being saved know it is the very
power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18, NLT). [Every
Day with Jesus by Greg Laurie]
CLOSING THOUGHT
Open My Eyes
Startling things happened shortly after
that first Resurrection Sunday. Like Luke 24,
where Jesus is having supper with the two He met
on the road to Emmaus. It says ... "When he was
at the table with them, he took bread, gave
thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then
their eyes were opened and they recognized him
... They recognized Jesus when He broke the
bread. Imagine it. What brought that "Aha!" moment?
Their eyes saw His hands reach for the loaf, then
tear it apart. Something seemed familiar.
Suddenly, I think that's when they knew. How could
they miss the nail-prints in His hands as he
passed the chunks of bread?
There's a powerful lesson in this for us.
If we want people to recognize Jesus, to see
the characteristics which reveal Him as Savior,
our conversation about God with others must
always point to Christ. And when we talk about
Christ, we must always point to the cross, where
Jesus reveals Himself as Savior, Deliverer,
Triumphant King. The Father will open the eyes of
seekers when they contemplate the cross. It is what
makes the Christian faith utterly unique. When we
point people to Calvary, they cannot miss the
glory of the cross. For what other Man died upon
such a tree, yet still lives?
If you want an "Aha!" moment, remember
that the cross is the power of God. It is in the
nail prints where Jesus reveals who He is. It's
not difficult to recognize Him. Then, like the
women at His empty tomb, let us run with joy to
tell others of His victory - our victory.
"Because I live, you also live," He said. We know the
promise, and we've felt the touch of His nail-scarred
hand. Now gaze at the empty cross. Recognize Him?
Lord Jesus, use me to point hearts
towards the Cross ... where one glimpse will change
everything, for all eternity. [Joni Eareckson Tada Daily
Devotional:
http://www.joniandfriends.org/daily-devotional]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
Romans 1:16, 17 - Power of the Gospel.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200924-1151.html
1 Corinthians 2:14 - Spiritual Discernment
So Vital.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20201030-1146.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
