THE OFFENCE OF THE CROSS

Galatains 5:11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.

When you consider the cross of Christ, do you find it offensive? If you are a Christian today, I am certain that you do not. For to you it is a glorious a thing, for there two-thousand years ago our Savior bled and died to buy us pardon; to redeem us from the curse, and to make atonement for our transgressions. No, when a Christian considers the cross he is not offended, but he is humbled and thankful for the sacrifice that was made there on.

Yet today as it was in the day of Paul, many persons are offended by the cross. To many of the Jews of Christ's day the cross was a stumbling block, a rock of offence. Why? Because the cross had brought the whole Jewish economy of ceremonial law to a close. No longer could men look to the sacrifice of bulls and goats, but they had to look upon a crucified Savior. The religious leaders of Israel were offended at the message of the cross for it said: Circumcision has no power to save, the temple has no power to save, the feast days have no power to save, your religious rites and traditions have no power to save. They were shadows of the dying Messiah, and he has now come, and men must now put their faith not in the shadows but in his atoning death if they are to be justified by God.

But we must not simply consider the cross as a stumbling block to the Jews only, but it is a doctrine of offence to most of the world's population. The cross, if it is preached in its true light, is offensive.

What do I mean by "preached in its true light". Well, the simple fact that a man named Jesus died upon the cross two-thousand years is not offensive in its self. Some soft hearted people may think upon that and consider such a punishment cruel and inhumane, but that is not the true offense of the cross. The cross becomes offensive when what truly transpired upon the cross is brought into light.

When you begin to preach that the man who hung upon the cross was sinless, it begins to offend.

When you begin to preach that the sinless man was the incarnate, eternal, Son of Almighty God, the offence grows.

When you preach that the sins of the whole world were imputed to the Sinless, eternal, Son of God, the offence spreads.

When you preach that the eternal Son of GOD died as our substitute, and paid the penalty for our sins in full, then the offence of the cross begins to abound.

When you preach that only through faith in the sacrifice of the cross can men be saved, then is the offence brought to its full mark.

And then are we, like the Apostle Paul, subject to suffer persecution from those of the world who are offended at our Gospel. You see it is not the image of the cross that people wear about their neck that is the stumbling block, but it is the message that the cross has brought to the world.

Now let's take a moment and consider this message that we might understand better why the world finds it so offensive.

THE CROSS SHOWS THAT MEN HAVE A NEED FOR SALVATION.

Colossians 1:20-22 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

Notice the purpose of the cross.

By faith in it's work: It gives us peace, it brings reconciliation, it makes us holy, unblamable and unreprovable.

Now we who have trusted in Christ's finished work on the cross consider these things a wonderful blessing, we would not trade this work of the cross in us for all the gold in the world. But what of those who have not trusted in the crucified Savior, what is the message to them?

The cross tells them:

"You do not have peace with God. He is angry with you." As the Bible says: "God is angry with the wicked every day."– Psalms 7:11

The Cross also says: "Your sins have separated you and your God". You are not one with him, you have no fellowship with him, but you are his enemy.

The Cross says to those who do not trust: "You are unholy. You are a sinner. Your righteousness is as filthy rags, you are unclean in your wickedness".

The Cross then warns: "You are blamable. You shall be held accountable. You are without excuse ".

And the Cross declares: "You shall be judged for your sins and you shall be punished for your sins".

You see the cross has a positive message, but at the same time it contains a negative message. Let's consider what took place upon the cross two thousand years ago.

THE CROSS SHOWS THERE IS A PENALTY FOR SIN.

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures" – 1st Corinthians 15:3

As we know the sinless Savior was nailed to the cross, and he died there. Why? The Bible declares that he died "for our sin". Our sins were imputed, and our sins caused the death of Christ, because he died our substitute, to pay the penalty for our sin. The Law requires the death of the sinner, and Christ died that death for us so that we could live. It is an offence to sinners to hear that their sin which they love carries a penalty, and that they shall receive wages for their wicked works.

THE CROSS SHOWS THAT GOD JUDGES SIN

Isaiah 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

The cross proves that God hates sin, that he utterly abhors it, and that he does indeed judge it. For when Christ received our sin, the face of God was turned from him, and the wrath of God was upon him. As Christ said through the Psalmist:

"Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves". – Psalms 88:7

"My God, My God, Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me"? – Psalms 22:1

Because God is holy he is separate from sin and it is his will and pleasure to judge sin. The Cross declares plainly that all sin must be judged and punished. The sinner has a choice, to either accept Christ's sufferings and death in his place, or to bear the judgment and wrath of God himself. It is offensive to sinners to hear that God shall judge them and punish them for their evil deeds.

THE CROSS SHOWS THAT MEN ARE TOTALLY UNABLE TO SAVE THEMSELVES

Mark 14:36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

This is Christ's prayer the night before he would bear the sins of the world on the cross. If there was another way for men to be saved, Christ would not had given himself to the cross. If there was another way for men to be saved, then God would not have given his Son. The very fact that the Son of God went to the cross as our sacrifice proves that there is no other way to be saved. If it was possible for man to save himself by his own efforts Christ would have stayed in heaven. If men only needed confidence and encouragement, and better teaching, Christ could have sent an angel to speak to men.

The main purpose of Christ's advent was not to teach men a better way, or how to live a holier life, but rather he became a man so that he could die man's sacrifice. And thus it is offensive to men to hear that their best efforts still come short of the glory of God. It is offensive to men to hear that their religious duties and rites have left them unclean in the site of God, totally unfit for heaven. It is offensive to men to hear that they must stop 'trying to save themselves', and that they must place their trust in Christ, if they wish to escape the eternal fires of hell.

THE TWO-SIDED CROSS.

John 3:35-36 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

The Cross of Jesus Christ has a two sided message. To those who are called unto this salvation, upon the Cross they see the love of GOD, for there it is made manifest. The cross tells us that God so loved us that he gave his only begotten Son to die. The cross tells us that the Son so loved us, that he gave himself for our sins, that we might live. It tells us that God is merciful and gracious and kind toward us. Only at its foot can one fall in love with this awesome God.

But at the same time the Cross is a great sign of warning to all who continue on in unbelief. It stands erect above the spilled blood of Christ declaring to the world: "This is the lone remedy for sin, this is the lone shelter from the storm, this is the door to the Ark of Safety, there is no other means of escape. Flee oh sinner before the door is closed. Flee to where the wrath of God burned two-thousand years ago, for there it will burn no more. Flee to the crucified Savior so you may have life!"

Oh, the cross of Christ, it is the great dividing line of time and man. Just as those who lived before it lived in B.C., those who live after it, live in A.D. Those who look to it live in light, while those who do not live in darkness.

Those who trust in its work, have eternal life.

Those who do not, shall not see life.

Those who trust have newness of life.

Those who do not remain the servants of sin.

Those who have fled to it have found peace with God.

But the wrath of God remains upon those who have not.

Those who have made it their trust, shall inherit all good things from God.

Those who do not trust, shall reap destruction like a whirl-wind.

The question today is: What side of the cross are you on? Have you come to it and found life, or is it an offence to you?

How about you who profess Christ: Are you clinging to its blood stained bark or have you forsaken the rugged cross for a gem of this world? For a moment of sinful pleasure?

Take back up thy cross! Take it up before it is too late! Take it and lay it upon your shoulder and follow Christ, and you shall live.