Come and See: The Cross – The Wonder That Transforms Us

Introduction:

To continue the "Come and See" series, Pastor Elisha shared a sermon titled "The Cross – The Wonder That Transforms Us" which focuses on the power and wonder of the cross. Often seen as a symbol of suffering or an ornament, the cross carries a deeper, life-transforming message. It's not just something we wear around our necks or see atop churches; the cross is the central message of the Christian faith, a paradox that calls us to embrace both its shame and its power. The cross divides history, offering salvation to those who accept it and foolishness to those who reject it. As we explore its meaning, we ask: What does the cross truly mean for us? How does it transform lives?

Key Points:

• The Cross: A Dividing Line

  • The message of the cross creates a stark division: it is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those being saved, it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18). The cross demands a response—either we accept it or reject it; there is no neutral ground.

• The Cross Confronts Expectations

  • The Jewish people expected a conquering king who would deliver them from Roman oppression. They couldn’t accept a crucified Messiah, as Jesus didn’t meet their expectations of power and victory.

  • Similarly, the Greek culture, with its emphasis on wisdom and reason, found the idea of a suffering, crucified God absurd. For them, wisdom and salvation should come through intellect and virtue, not through weakness and shame.

• The Cross: A Scandal to Many

  • For the Jews, the idea of a Messiah on a cross was a scandal. It conflicted with their hopes of a glorious, victorious savior who would defeat their enemies.

  • For the Greeks, the cross represented foolishness. Their gods were distant and incapable of suffering, and the idea of salvation through a humiliating death was inconceivable.

  • To the Romans, the cross symbolized the worst kind of shame and punishment. Crucifixion was reserved for slaves, traitors, and criminals, and was designed to strip away dignity.

• The Power of the Cross

  • Despite its seeming weakness, the cross is the power of God. Jesus’ death on the cross achieved something that could not be done through human strength: reconciliation with God and the forgiveness of sins.

  • Isaiah 53:5-6 speaks of Jesus being pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities. The cross represents the divine exchange where Jesus took on the punishment we deserved, offering us peace, healing, and eternal life.

• The Cross Confronts Idolatry

  • The cross exposes the idols of our culture—performance, success, status, and even the curated images we present on social media. It confronts our self-reliance and the notion that we can save ourselves through our efforts.

  • The cross challenges our cultural idols and reminds us that true fulfillment and salvation are not found in these things but in Christ alone.

• The Cross: A Call to Personal Transformation

  • Just like the woman at the well who encountered Jesus and was transformed, the cross calls us to leave behind our old lives and embrace the living water that only Jesus offers. Her encounter with Jesus exposed her shame but also brought freedom and healing.

  • The cross exposes the sin we hide but also offers the grace and mercy that heals and transforms us. It is not a symbol of defeat but the gateway to new life.

• The Cross: A Challenge to Our Pride and Independence

  • The cross calls us to surrender our pride and our illusion of control. It’s not about being the captain of our own ship but about trusting in the sacrifice of Jesus. The world may offer many ways to find meaning, but only the cross provides true freedom and transformation.

Conclusion:

The cross is not just a historical event or a symbol; it is the power of God that offers us salvation and transformation. It exposes the emptiness of the things we often pursue for fulfillment and invites us into a new life rooted in grace. The cross confronts our idols, our pride, and our self-reliance, but it also offers forgiveness, healing, and eternal life. There is no middle ground with the cross—it demands a response. Will we embrace it, or will we reject it? The cross remains the one and only wonder that can truly transform us, offering life, hope, and restoration to all who come and see.