The Offence of the Cross

The Offence of the Cross

INTRODUCTION

Notes taken from a sermon preached by Rev. Leo Calica, in Manila February 12, 1961; a message preached by Bishop Marcus Loane in Baguio in 1963 and other sources.

Galatians 5:11, "And I, brethren, if I yet pree.ch circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased." In Christian circles we often speak about "the offence of the cross" but do we know what we mean? Has it become a trite saying without significance? The cross has always been a stumblingblock to the Jews (1 Corinthians 1:22-24), and foolishness to the Greeks but to the child of God it is both the power of God and wisdom of God.

It is the shame and scorn that is heaped on the head of the evangelical who still believes in salvation through the precious Blood of Christ. The "modern" Christian today calls this "an old-fashioned, slaughter-house religion," and with his nose in the air disdains the ignoramus living in "ancient history." This individual depending on good works, philosophy, religiosity and formalism to save him feels so much more enlightened than us "back-numbers."

It is in the doctrine of the atonement; it hurts man’s pride to be told that he is a sinner utterly helpless to save himself; natural man erroneously imagines that he is "basically pretty good" with but a few minor "weaknesses" that can easily be offset by meritorious deeds of charity, benevolence and alms giving.

It attacks the pride of man; it takes considerable humility to confess that "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6); and that "the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds...bruises. . . putrifying sores. . ."

It contravenes the wisdom of man; man’s wisdom says that everything and everyone has a price and that somehow man ought to be able to reimburse God for the debt of sin and be reckoned righteous on the basis of a suitable purchase price. The Cross was the death blow to human pride and worldly honour. To be identified with a so-called "criminal" brings shame and ignominy upon one.

Because the crucifixion was surrounded by scandal, men have tried to erase this “offence" by music, poetry and art.

Men attempt to beautify that which was once an ugly instrument of death.

People like hymns with a sentimental appeal, "On a hill far away, stood an old rugged cross".. . a cross glittering with gold edges and garlanded with flowers.

Centuries of tradition have attempted to remove the offensive odour from the cross. The cross that Paul glorified in (Galatians 6:14) was far different; he preached a salvation by the ignominious cross of shame, sorrow, anguish and pain.

Peter in Acts 5:30, says, "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree." Impolite language? offensive? This is the true cross! The writer of the book of Hebrews (Hebrews 13:13) catches this thought of shame when he says, "let us go forth therefore unto HIM without the camp, bearing (sharing) His reproach." This is a gentle invitation to every child of God. This was the place of the outcast, the criminal and leper; in their filth, disease, and misery they called out, "Unclean, unclean." This doctrine is not merely a New Testament revelation for Hebrews 11:26, tells us that Moses chose "the reproach of Christ" rather than the riches of Egypt.

Matthew 11:6, "And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in Me." Does our faith rise to the crescendo of Peter in Matthew 26:33, "Though all men shall be offended because of Thee, yet will I never be offended."

Why were the disciples (including Peter) later offended and departed from Him?

Because of His association with a terrible cross and the awful gory sight. No Jew could think of crucifixion apart from shame, for God had said, "Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree. " Deuteronomy 21:22-23. Galatians 3:13.

He who was held accursed for me, rose from the grave; now shall I be offended in Him? Will I be willing to absorb the scandal, shame and offence of the cross?

Dare I do less? If I fail to daily accept this offence I am unworthy to be a disciple.

The cross stains the pride of human glory; to the Gentile the cross was a mental affront for it offended his intellect. The Greeks didn’t think of the curse of the cross but only of its shame; the law of Caesar reserved it only for the worst of criminals.

Think of the disgrace and shame of hanging naked; Hebrews 12:2, "Jesus... endured the cross, despising the shame"; counting this cost not too great to redeem us.

Natural man cries out, "How could one who died in shame on a Roman gallows be the Son of God, be the Messiah and Redeemer of mankind?" The expression, "The blood of the cross" is considered cruel, repulsive to polite society today; they consider it a hangover of ancient religion.

Saul of Tarsus rebelled against the cross and looked on the crucified Nazarene as a blasphemer and consequently set out to persecute and imprison the Christians. The Apostle Paul acknowledged his error and learned to glory in the cross.

This represents the inner conflict between the self-life and the new nature- 2 Peter 1:4.

Victory comes when we are willing to crucify self, accept the cross and bear the shame.

It is a daily (moment-by-moment, experience-by-experience) accepting the stigma of being different joyfully, for the glory of our matchless Redeemer. Luke 9:23.

Perhaps we are walking along the street and the Holy Spirit tells us to join a group of Christians having an open-air meeting. But our inner respectable self says that would be too undignified; your neighbours would be horrified; you have to protect your noble name in this community!! But we need to resist this temptation and in the Name of Christ identify ourselves and give our testimony.

Every occasion that tests our self-surrender and exposes our old nature to further shame and death may be considered as accepting the offence of the cross.

Providential circumstances (sent by the Saviour’s hand) bring us up against choices which will antagonize the old nature; daily we will be given opportunity to die.

Some of these things may be ordinary routine matters like juggling of the daily schedule; extra accumulation of duties; unexpected interruptions when we are facing immediate deadlines; unwelcome distractions, though beneficial and pleasant at other times. Is there any particular area in your life where you have secretly said to God, "Anything, Lord, anything, but not THAT." For you, that may represent the offence of the cross in its deepest meaning. Why the hesitation? Are you afraid of the shame and ridicule that it might bring you? put self on the altar and Christ on the throne of your life; accept the "cross" gladly and dying to self, magnify Christ. To some it might be immersion after years of being satisfied with baptism by sprinkling; to many this represents a humiliation beneath their dignity.

Rev. L E. Maxwell says (Born Crucified, page 144), "Our cross is the voluntary embracing of a path which exposes self to fresh denial, disgrace and death and which may actually cost us our life." Blessed death if Christ can be seen in the resurrection. For some it may be speaking out boldly against sin; the flesh would say, "Keep quiet, it really isn’t your business," but the Holy Spirit must be obeyed.

CONCLUSION

It is folly to attempt to avoid the offence; His grace is sufficient to endure the shame - 2 Corinthians 12:9; Embrace it gladly and serve Him acceptably.

Bearing the offence is part of the price of discipleship- Luke 14:27. In Matthew 27:32, Simon (an African from present-day Libya) was forced to carry the cross after Jesus. He was a stranger and understood not the spiritual significance of that which was transpiring. But with us it is so different; we are not compelled to bear the cross for we daily accept it prayerfully as we acknowledge our identification with the Saviour in the monotonous routine of life.

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