The message of the cross

1 Corinthians 1:18 "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."

Maybe I have missed something in the past, but there seem to be more people wearing a cross necklace and other cross symbols on their clothing. In the past, at least in my own mind, seeing a cross necklace or symbol on clothing indicated the wearer was a Christian. Now I'm not so sure.

I have a cross necklace that I wear. It is a reminder for me of who I am. I can feel the necklace under my shirt. There is a message that goes with the reminder. Jesus died in the cross for my sins. And not just my sins, but the sins of all. The reminder helps me to stay focused, and humble. This reminder, that is the necklace is something I need in my life. And yet in 1 Corinthians 1:18 "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" we know that not all understand the message of the cross. For the crowd that wears a cross because it looks "cool" or "totally rad" the message is lost. The cross in that case shines as a beacon in the night calling attention to their foolishness. When I see someone wearing an article of clothing with a crossword is acting in a most Unchristian like manner it seems to magnify the hypocrisy of their acts. An then I have to think about myself. Do I always act like a perfect Christian? The answer is no. But the cross still stands as a reminder for all,regardless a of the situation or location it is worn, that we are saved by the power of God. His Son died on the cross that many display in a cavalier fashion. The cross is a serious symbol of something magnificent accomplished when Jesus died on the cross. The love of God poured out in the blood of Jesus. His body was laid in the tomb, and Jesus rose on the third day as He promised he would. The cross reminds us of the end of the old covenant, and the beginning of the new covenant. Christians know that the cross is not an ornament to be worn for the sake of fashion. The cross is something we cling to as a sourced of hope and a promise fulfilled. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, alleluia, Amen.

PRAYER: Father, we look to the cross for our hope in You. Your Son suffered the humility of the cross for the sake of all sinners. Help us to remember His sacrifice as we travel in our world today. Help us to be strong when we are weak. Let not the meaning of the cross be lost upon us today and every day. We ask this in the name of Your Son our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.