November 14
Bible Reading: Acts 25:13-22
Acts 25:19, “Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive.”
The cross of the Jesus represents the most important event in human history, for by His death for sins and resurrection from the dead He provided a way of salvation for all who believe. But not everyone views the cross that way. That which is “the power of God and wisdom of God to those who are called” is “a stumbling block to the Jews and folly to the Gentiles.” (1 Corinthians 1:23-24).
The Apostle Paul gloried in the cross and boldly proclaimed it (Galatians 6:14). The opposing Jews relentlessly opposed Paul’s message and even sought his death (Acts 23:12). Festus did not understand what all the fuss was about regarding a “certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive” (Acts 25:19).
Things haven’t changed. People vary in their response to the “Christ crucified” message. But the crucial question for us each is how do we ourselves view it? Paul said, “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14)!
In his book, “The Cross,” Martyn Lloyd Jones wrote: “My dear friends, there never can be a more important question than this: what does this cross do to you? Where do you find yourself as you think of it and face it? It is one of these two, it is either an offence or else you glory in it. Are we all clear about our position? Do we know exactly where we stand? There are some perhaps saying, ‘Well, quite certainly it is not an offence to me, but I am afraid I cannot say I glory in it.’ Well, my friend, you are in an impossible position. These are the only two positions—offence, or glory.”
Do you glory in the cross? Do you understand it to be the sole basis for the forgiveness of your sins? Is your hope firmly set on the risen Christ and His soon return?
“All of heaven is interested in the cross of Christ, hell afraid of it, while men are the only ones to ignore its meaning.” — Oswald Chambers
THE OLD RUGGED CROSS
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame;
and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it some day for a crown.
O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
has a wondrous attraction for me;
for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
to bear it to dark Calvary. [Refrain]
In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
a wondrous beauty I see,
for ‘twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
to pardon and sanctify me. [Refrain]
To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then he’ll call me some day to my home far away,
where his glory forever I’ll share. [Refrain]
LookingtoJesus 