The Scandal of the Cross

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ stands as a paradoxical event at the center of human history. While the Romans executed thousands of people, the vast majority of whom were immediately forgotten to history, Jesus is the one exception whose name and story have not only endured, but have gone on to shape the values of western society and the lives of billions of people. The cross represents a meeting point of seemingly opposing forces - the love and justice of God, the wisdom of God and the foolishness of humanity, and the power of God demonstrated in weakness. Our culture seeks to hold onto love and justice while rejecting what they see as the foolishness of God and embracing the wisdom of man. Yet in doing so they are actually rejecting the foundation upon which love and justice are based. Sadly, Christians today along with their unchurched peers are far too often characterized by relief rather than struggle, pleasure rather than pain, control rather than trust, comfort rather than suffering. However, for followers of Jesus, the cross is not just an event, it’s a way of life. And it is exactly here that we see the efforts to avoid the scandal and sanitize the cross. Through this sermon series, we will revisit the paradoxical reality of Jesus' crucifixion and be reminded of the transformative power of the cross. We will explore how the scandal of the cross prepares us to participate in God's mission in our own time. Don't miss out on this opportunity to deepen your understanding of the centrality of the cross and how it can impact your life and the world around you.