Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
"On the Cross"
Aug. 12, 2018
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
~ 1 Corinthians 1:18 (ESV)
Have you noticed, people can say and do foolish things?
Not so long ago, in South Dakota, the state highway department got a call from a rancher who wanted them to remove the deer crossing signs on the road that went by his house. His thinking was too many deer were being hit by cars, and he didn't want them to cross there anymore.
Have you noticed, people can say and do foolish things?
Here's one from a friend-pastor who swears it's true. He and his wife were picking up their new car at the dealership. Somewhat embarrassed, the salesman said their keys had been locked in the vehicle by accident. They went to the service department and found a mechanic working feverishly to unlock the driver's side door. As they watched from the passenger's side, my friend instinctively tried the door handle and discovered it was open. "Hey!" he announced to the technician, "It's open!"
"I know," answered the young man. "I already got that side."
Now, up to this point in our devotion, I've been sharing some silly, true stories. And while I'm sure you would never do such things, I'm equally sure you've still managed to do your share. I'm sure if I asked your children, your spouse, your parents, or your best friends, they would be more than glad to share a foolish story or two about you.
Most of the time our silliness amounts to nothing more than a bit of embarrassment. But if you are foolish about things which stop you from seeing the Savior, it can be downright damning.
And it is at the end of that last line some people stop listening.
Many people don't want to hear about their need for Jesus. Most certainly, evil doesn't want salvation to reach them, reclaim them, recycle, and inspire them. For these folks, any time someone speaks God's message of Christ's cross to them it seems like foolishness.
Truly, if someone thinks the cross is foolishness, it is because he doesn't understand what God wanted to happen there. It is because they do not understand what God was trying to accomplish. They are not seeing the value of the healing medicine which God is giving.
I cannot tell how the cross touches you today. For that reason, I would like to say it was on Jesus' cross that God repaired that which we cannot restore. On the cross, God's Son built a bridge over sin's gulf which separated us from the Creator. On the cross, the Savior shows that no matter what you have done, no matter how bad you have been, no matter how long you have lived in your transgression, God loves you and is willing to do all which is needed to save you.
On the cross, in that place of earthly suffering, God offered spiritual healing. On the cross, in the place of physical death, God showed us the pathway to life. On the cross, God's sinless Son shed His blood as the price that had to be paid to buy us back from sin, Satan, death. On the cross, Jesus' precious blood becomes the Father's heaven-sent cure for all the illnesses which tear at your soul, your mind, your peace, your hope, and heaven.
Which is why I pray you will see the cross for what it is: one of God's greatest gifts to you.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, there are still those who think the cross is foolishness. Send Your Holy Spirit so doubters and deniers may clearly see the wonderful things You have done through Your Son's Sacrifice. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Have you noticed, people can say and do foolish things?
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