The Cross is an Obstacle to Logic
The Offense – Part 1

Scripture Reading:  1 Corinthians 1:24-31

Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:23

…but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles

Our scripture for today tells us the Jews were offended by the cross.  The cross was an obstacle to them because it destroyed their self-righteousness.  The Jewish law had been their salvation; obey it and all was well with God as far as the Jews were concerned.  The problem with that belief was, as precious as it was to the Jews, it wasn’t true.  When God sent Jesus to earth, it was to show all mankind truth—truth about Him and how to please God.  The Law had become the focus of the Jews rather than a heart for God.  Jesus came to help them understand that God’s great love wanted more than “rule keepers.”  God wanted a true relationship with every single person who would believe in Jesus!

Unfortunately, most of the Jewish people at that time were so tied to their past allegiance to the Law that they missed out on a relationship with the God their Law pointed to!  They were offended by the Apostle Paul’s preaching of Jesus over their precious Law.  They were so focused on what they believed was truth that they missed what the true purpose of the Law was in the first place.  Jesus said, “Don’t misunderstand why I have come, I did not come to abolish the Law of Moses or the writing of the prophets.  No, I came to accomplish their purpose” (Matthew 5:17).  (Continued)

Father, I don’t want to be close-minded to new truth and revelation.  Open my eyes to all of you, according to your plan for me.  In Jesus’ name, amen.