Hosanna Restoration Church

(1 Corinthians 1:18 NLT)

Today we join together to celebrate an empty cross, an empty tomb, and the fullness of Life in Christ Jesus. Aren’t we glad that the cross stands as a reminder of the great love that God had for us and the great sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf? We who understand rejoice that the tomb is empty and that Jesus won the victory for us in hell before coming and showing His power over death and the grave. And then though it is hard for us to imagine, we rejoice that He stood before His followers and then simply rose up into the clouds. We know from the Angel’s message that He will return the same way and that we will leave with Him when He does.

Well even if we don’t totally comprehend it, we at least have some level understanding of all of this and we place our hope in these and other truths. But what of those who do not understand this. To them, the message of the cross is like a foreign language. We cannot just ignore what God is saying to us here. Yet in many instances we do just that. Many times we have a tendency to take a stand on religious doctrine and tell people if they don’t understand, well then it is proof that they are perishing. Do we really think that is why God told us this? Could it be that He told us this so that we would be wise enough to speak to people about things they could understand?

Jesus came and told people the good news of the kingdom of God. He told His disciples about what would happen, but they did not understand until after it had happened. People need to understand the great love that God has for us. They need to know of the good plans He has for those who believe. They need to know that God has reserved a place for each of them. There is a table setting with their name on it, they need only show up.

To try and explain the cross to someone before they experience Him is like trying to teach rocket science to a baby. So while we who understand can get together and celebrate the message of the cross, let’s acknowledge that those without Christ have no idea what it really means. In fact, those of us who have an understanding in our hearts are hard pressed to convey what we really know. How many times as a Christian have you found yourself telling someone that it is hard to put into words what you know in your heart? How many times have to told someone that they would have to experience Christ themselves before they could understand? Or how many times have you said that no one could have told you it would be so wonderful to know Jesus.

Perhaps if we spend our time boasting about what the Lord has done (vs. 31) and about His greatness, and how much we love Him, and about His mercy and love, then people will experience Him and the cross will make sense to them as well. The best way I can think of to celebrate Jesus is to talk of His wonderful love and the Joy He gives us.