Week 7 - Day 2 - The Power Of The Cross
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The Power of God Revealed in Weakness
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18 (NKJV) – “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.”
Devotional:
I live by a mantra that has served me well for many years and even before I started my walk with Jesus.
“My strength lies in my vulnerability.” When I share myself as an open book, I have made a choice to live in the open; in the light.I am happy to admit when I don’t know the answer and in so doing I give others permission to work with me to find it. This served me well as an airline Captain. It also created a work space where the team I was with were able to actively participate in the day to day operations without my ego getting in the way.
It is also a great way to severe the ties of gossip; secret information about me that could be used to damage me. I can’t say it hasn’t back fired once or twice but even then my wisdom was sharpened by the experience. I do wear my heart on my sleeve but I try not to stick my arm in the toilet. The bible has a verse for this.
The phrase “do not cast your pearls before swine” comes from Matthew 7:6
“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” Although I have personally experienced this most profoundly since 2021 when I spoke out about mandates, it has not deterred me from living this way. After all, what others think of me is none of my business right?
The essence of our verse for today is that when you surrender to the gift of the cross, which is your salvation in Christ; then it is not what you know but who you know that matters.
In 1 Corinthians 1:18, the apostle Paul encapsulates the paradoxical essence of the Christian faith—the message of the cross. To the world, the idea of finding redemption through the crucifixion of Jesus Christ seems crazy, even foolish. Yet, for believers, it represents the ultimate demonstration of God’s power and wisdom.
At the cross, we witness the convergence of divine love and human brokenness. Jesus, the sinless Son of God, willingly bore the weight of our sins, enduring excruciating pain and humiliation. In this seemingly weak and shameful act, God revealed His unparalleled strength and wisdom. The strength of Jesus was in His own vulnerability because in the vulnerability He was relying totally on the strength of His Father who was with Him on the cross.
- What does the message of the cross mean to you personally?
- Reflect on your understanding of the significance of Christ’s sacrifice. How does it shape your perspective on your own life, struggles, and relationship with God?
- Consider the societal norms and values that often oppose the message of the cross. How do you navigate living out your faith in a culture that may perceive it as foolishness?
- In what ways can you embrace the power of the cross in your daily life?
Prayer:
Gracious Father, Papa God. Thank You for the immeasurable love displayed through the cross of Christ. Help me to grasp the depth of Your wisdom and power revealed in His sacrifice. As I navigate the challenges of life in a world that often rejects Your truth, strengthen my faith and embolden me to proclaim the message of the cross with clarity and conviction. May Your Holy Spirit work in me, transforming my heart and empowering me to live victoriously in Christ. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.
Graham Hood
