March 1—First Sunday in Lent
“Claim the Cross”
“The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are being destroyed. But it is the power of God for those of us who are being saved.” 1 Corinthians 1:18
Prayer:
Almighty God, I desire to take refuge in you. Keep me from the snares of the world and protect me. Give me faith to trust you as those who have gone before trusted in the knowledge that you were their protector. Amen.
Scripture readings:
Sunday: 1 Corinthians 1:17-25
Monday: Mark 8:31-38
Tuesday: 1 Corinthians 2:6-13
Wednesday: Psalm 145
Thursday: 1 Peter 2:4-10
Friday: Colossians 2:15-23
Saturday: Psalm 34:1-10
Hear my prayer, O Lord, those I offer for myself and for others.
_________________________, __________________________, _________________________, __________________________, _________________________, __________________________,
For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
Colossians 1:19-20
Reflection:
In verse 18 Paul divides the world into two groups of people.
The 1st sentence focuses on “those who are being Destroyed”. In other translations, the words perishing or headed to destruction are used instead of destroyed. The point of the 1st sentence is that those being destroyed are destined for eternity apart from God, as an ungodly, unsaved people…
The 2nd sentence focuses on “those who are being Saved”. Implying by Gods word and power that those being saved are destined for an eternity of sharing in God's glory, as Believers…
To the first group—those being destroyed—the cross of Christ is "folly." The original Greek term used here is mōria, the root of the English word moron. Paul is saying that to the unsaved world, those who preach the gospel look like morons. Also, Greek and Roman cultures believed in all kinds of gods. It wasn’t Atheism in claiming the message of the cross to be foolishness. It was because Jesus Christ was rejected by His own people as Messiah and crucified on a cross. From a Pagan perspective, this was no kind of god to worship.
So, let us consider that The Cross of Christ was not foolish.
The second group - those who are being saved – due to their faith in Christ, the cross is understood to be God's most powerful act. God sacrificed His Son Jesus for all human sin. Jesus, in spite of limitless power and authority, gave up His life to cover the sins of those who were “being destroyed“. Those who trust in Christ understand that without that powerful act, we would be lost and without hope. Those who don't know the power of God are lost if they only rely on themselves or other men… It is those of us that come to know what and who we really are and most importantly, whose we are, that as Believers in Christ, we are destined for an eternity of sharing in God's glory - beginning here and now. Amen
Robert Blome