The
Transforming Power of the Cross
1 Corinthians
1:18-19
Jim
Davis
On September 11, 2001 we probably witnessed
the most earthshaking event since World War II as the World Trade Center
towers collapsed. Aida Sheets sent me a web page link to some photos of
our embassies around the world. The photos reveal how thousands around
the world have brought flowers to the U. S. embassies around the world.
They have lit candles and laid the flowers at the gates our embassies.
This horrible event is being felt around the world. It has shaken the foundation
of the world order of things.
I suspect that the ramifications of this event
are far from over. It has cast a gloomy outlook upon our future and the
future of the world. It has diminished any ideas we may have had about
our invincibility. The scary part about all of this is that a dissident
group from the weakest, poorest and most backward countries of the world
has made the most sophisticated and seemingly invincible weaponry ever
known to man look very inadequate. They have made us feel very vulnerable.
God only knows where this type of warfare could end. It could change the
face of the globe, as we know it today.
I am a military veteran of the Vietnam War
era. It is encouraging to behold the patriotism of our country as citizens
rally around the flag in prayer vigils. It has been decades since this
country has seen such patriotism. When soldiers came back after overseas
tours during the Vietnam War the flags those marching were waving were
on fire. It seems as though many of those soldiers had to hide their uniforms
and practically throw away their Purple Hearts. It is refreshing to see
our national, yea international spirit.
A few years ago the highest courts in this
land said that it was all right to burn the Stars and Stripes, despite
all the wars that have been fought and won to keep Old Glory waving as
the symbol of our land. Now those same individuals are waving Old Glory
in the streets, as if their life depends on it.
But I must say that it seems somewhat hypocritical
for the vast majority of the country to rally around the flagpole when
many of them have fought for the right to burn the symbol of our land.
It seems somewhat hypocritical to have prayer vigils around the flagpole
on national television and ask for moments of silent prayer in public places
when the majority of Americans seem to think prayer should be outlawed
in public places because it is offensive to others.
I know that the philosophers and professors
of our universities can explain why we have kept God out of our textbooks!
They can tell us why we have taken God out of our schools! Why we are seeking
to take "In God we trust" off of our coins! Why we have told him to stay
out of our politics! Why we have taken God out of our choices! Why we have
taken God out of our bedrooms! Why we have sought to take God's name out
of our pledge of allegiance to the flag. I am sure in times such as these
they are smart enough to tell us how we can rally around a flagpole in
candlelight prayer vigils singing "GOD BLESS AMERICA" without being hypocrites.
I can only wonder what God thinks about it all!!!
What security does the American dream give
you, as you see its potential to turn into worst nightmare ever? This tragedy
teaches us something about building our lives on something as flimsy as
the whims of humanity.
As a Christian I am thankful that my
security does not come from the world's changing opinions and attitudes
however prevailing they may seem to be. My security comes from
the plan of God. Paul writes, "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. For it is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the
intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.'" (1 Corinthians
1:18-19 NIV)
The Cross’ Power to Bring Repentance
Historically the crucifixion of Jesus Christ
is the most earthshaking event since the beginning of the world. It remains
the most earthshaking event in all of human history. It was there that
God's power was revealed as never before. When Christ's cross was dropped
into that hole, on the hill called the Place of the Skull, it literally
shook the earth and veiled the sun. The three hours of darkness, which
began at noon ended in earth shaking proportions, as graves were ripped
open, and the dead were brought back to life.
Matthew writes that the moment Christ died
on that cross "the earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke
open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.
They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into
the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those
with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened,
they were terrified, and exclaimed, 'Surely he was the Son of God!'"
(Matthew 27:51-53 NIV)
Moments earlier those in that wild savage
crew standing around the cross were mocking Christ saying, "If you are
the king of the Jews, save yourself" (Luke 23:36-37). Now those savages
standing around the cross are crying a different tune.
The power of the cross is discovered
as it transforms the way we think. What happened as Christ died
on that cross changed the most calloused hearts observing what was transpiring.
Two thieves were cursing Jesus as they hung on their crosses on either
side of Jesus. They were calloused men who deserved to die; they were not
innocent victims of the world’s cruelty. They were cursing Jesus. They
had joined in the mockery of the crowd as they cried, "If you are the
Son of God save yourself and us!" Then as one thief observed Christ’s
innocent suffering he had a change of heart, suddenly in the midst of the
confusion he rebukes the other thief.
Luke 23:40-41
But the other criminal rebuked
him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence?
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But
this man has done nothing wrong." (NIV)
There was a sudden change in thinking among
those standing at the foot of the cross also. They were calloused men.
Do doubt they had observed numerous crucifixions. There was something that
happened on that center cross that changed those calloused hearts.
Luke 23:47-49
The centurion, seeing what
had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man."
When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took
place, they beat their breasts and went away. But all those who knew him,
including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance,
watching these things.
They began to praise God saying, "Surely
this was a righteous man." In the darkness of a depravity so great
that it shook the earth and veiled sun they listened to the cry for the
forgiveness for those who crucified Christ Those crucified usually died
cursing God and man, just as the thieves were cursing and railing Christ
and each other. They had never seen a person praying for the forgiveness
of the executioners. When they beheld Jesus' attitude upon the cross they
left that place beating their breasts. Have you ever wanted to beat yourself
up for something you had taken part in? That's how they felt. What a change
of the most calloused minds and hearts. There was something about the cross
that allowed them to see their soul's deepest need.
The power of repentance is discovered
as the thief is dying on his cross. In the last moment of his life
he changed his mind about how he had lived. The thief said to the criminal
on the other side of Jesus, "’Don't you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you
are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting
what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said,
‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered him,
‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.’" (Luke
23:40-43 NIV) The thief had an attitude of repentance, but the other did
not. Jesus took the thief to paradise but the Bible doesn’t say Jesus ever
spoke to the other criminal crucified with him.
The cross is powerless to save us without
our willingness to change our minds about how we are living. Jesus taught
the importance of repentance in the following verses.
Luke 13:1-5
Now there were some present
at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had
mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans
were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this
way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or
those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them-do you think
they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you,
no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish." (NIV)
Two tragic events are mentioned in these verses.
Apparently, Pilate mixed the blood of some who sought to offer sacrifices
with the sacrifices they sought to offer. That probably means he killed
them at the altar as they were offering sacrifices. We don’t know any more
about any of these events than what is found in these short verses. The
second tragedy occurred when a tower fell on some Galileans. Then, as now,
they were saying it is an act of God. Jesus says, "I tell you, no!" Then
he used the tragedy to teach a lesson on repentance.
Tragedy has a way of stripping away the superficial
so that we can see what truly matters. What is important in times such
as this is to get our lives back on track as we rid our lives of the superficial.
That takes repentance. If we fail to take the road to repentance when we
see our need to do so, our difficulties will always increase.
I appreciate the stand our leaders have taken;
I appreciate the patriotism I see. I hope that it will result in an attitude
of repentance toward God. We are learning that the gods of political correctness
cannot save us. The gospel of political correctness demands that we sever
our ties with God, except when we are in trouble. We can pray to God in
public now because it is politically correct to do so. The world is now
throwing political correctness out of the window as we violate every principal
of political correctness in our tragedy. It shows us how superficial the
gospel of political correctness is.
It is really scary to think how the gospel
of political correctness seeks to overrule the gospel of God's righteousness
in our country. God made each of us a free moral agent. He gave us the
right to make our own choices. However, having a right to make choices
does not make our choices right. Having the right to exercise our political
rights does not make it right for us to do so.
The wise man Solomon speaks to times such
as these.
2 Chronicles 7:13-16
"When I shut up the heavens
so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send
a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name,
will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked
ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and
will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to
the prayers offered in this place. (NIV)
It is obvious that God accepts the prayer
of repentance. As Christians going through this tragedy we must remember
our prayers must be prayers accompanied with an attitude of repentance.
As Daniel lived out his life in Babylonian captivity he sought God through
prayer. Jerusalem was lying in ruins as Daniel uttered his prayer to God.
Daniel 9:17-23
"Now, our God, hear the prayers
and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on
your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and
see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests
of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord,
listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God,
do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name."
While I was speaking and praying,
confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request
to the LORD my God for his holy hill-while I was still in prayer, Gabriel,
the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about
the time of the evening sacrifice. He instructed me and said to me, "Daniel,
I have now come to give you insight and understanding. As soon as you began
to pray, an answer was given, which I have come to tell you, for you are
highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the message and understand the vision:
(NIV)
As Daniel acknowledges and confesses
his sin in an attitude of repentance, God answers his prayer. I
know that these are Old Testament scriptures from Israel's ancient past,
but they tell us some important facts about how God rules our world even
today. They teach me that God requires an attitude of repentance as we
approach him in prayer.
If we thumb our noses at God’s righteousness,
don’t expect answers. It is one thing to come to God despising the sin
in your life, and it is quite another to come to God unwilling to accept
his rebuke.
Proverbs 1:24-33
But since you rejected me when
I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand, since you ignored
all my advice and would not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh at your
disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you--when calamity overtakes
you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when
distress and trouble overwhelm you.
"Then they will call to me but
I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me. Since they
hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD, since they would not
accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their
ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness
of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy
them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without
fear of harm." (NIV)
I know that there will always be wars and
rumors of wars. And as long as this is the case there will always be those
who seek to use them to predict the end of the world, when the Bible clearly
tells us that no one knows when that will transpire. However, I sincerely
believe that these things are God's trumpet calls for each generation.
The trumpet sounds a distinctive call
of repentance for God's people. It calls us back to the God who
shook the earth and veiled the sun as his Son died on the cross. When the
trumpet calls us back to God's righteousness then we will experience the
power of the cross, but not until the blood of the Lamb and the testimony
of the cross becomes the focal point of our lives.
Revelation 12:10-12
"Now have come the salvation
and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ.
For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and
night, has been hurled down. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much
as to shrink from death. Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell
in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down
to you! (NIV)
The power of the cross is discovered
in the hope it instills. When I see that thief taken to paradise
with Jesus, I realize that there is hope for the hopeless. Can you imagine
the terror running through the thief’s heart as he hung on the cross? I
saw a very touching picture of a Palestinian child holding up a sign. It
said, "We now have a common enemy, terror." The power of repentance at
the cross offers us hope in spite of our terror.
As Christ died on that cross, in the darkest
moment of human history the brightest hope of humanity was revealed. It
was there that the solution to the mystery of the ages was revealed. The
mystery revealed God's final victory over the reigning terror of evil.
It revealed the only real power we have over terror's reign. It is there
in the darkest moment of human history that we find our brightest hope
for our future. It is found in the hope of repentance.
Conclusion:
Repentance toward God puts God in charge
of my life.
Ephesians 1:15-23
For this reason, ever since
I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,
I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,
may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know
him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened
in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches
of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power
for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength,
which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated
him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority,
power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the
present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under
his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which
is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. (NIV)
Repentance toward God allows God to
work his purposes in my life.
Romans 8:24-28
For in this hope we were saved.
But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already
has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
In the same way, the Spirit
helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but
the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the
Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
And we know that in all things
God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according
to his purpose. (NIV)
It was the sustaining power of the cross
that enabled Christians to stand firm as the Roman Empire was collapsing
around them. They overcame that hostile world through the blood
of the Lamb and the word of his testimony as that hostile world brought
its vengeance to their personal lives. That remains our greatest defense
today.
