The Offense of the Cross

Galatians 5:11, "But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed."

When I consider the offense of the Cross, you have to understand how I think. The Cross is offensive for several reasons. It's offensive because of its brutality. Many people within Christendom have studied out the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of this type of death. Let's just say that we have nothing to compare it to today. The Cross is offensive because it runs against logical thinking. How could something so brutal, so tragic, and so misconstrued be the very thing that brings salvation to all mankind? The Cross is also offensive because it goes against the religious mindset. It proves once and for all that the hoops we have jumped through, the rituals we have performed, and even the sacrifices people have made were not enough. The Father has chosen once and for all that Jesus would be the perfect sacrifice. That His death upon the Cross would be the very thing that released us from the power of sin. That the Cross would be an enduring symbol of humanities cruelest intentions resulting in the Father's greatest good.

When Paul talks about the offense of the Cross to the church in Galatia, he is referring to the latter. He is letting this group of Gentile believers in on the incredible liberty brought to them through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Circumcision may not seem like a big deal to us, but in those days (especially among the Jews) circumcision was the sign that you had been set apart. Circumcision was the enduring symbol of your rightness with God. The mark of your separation. The very thing that told the world that you were a true child of Abraham.

Imagine that you were to go to a church today and discover that in order to become a member that you had to be circumcised. Of course this means that you also have to imagine that circumcision wasn't the practice of Western culture. Imagine being 20, 30, 40, or much older and having to go through this ordeal just so you could be considered a true believer. There's a reason why we do this to our sons right after they are born. Much of the Gentile world (if not all of it) did not practice this when they sons came into the world. It would go against their cultural practices. However, there was something much bigger at stake. Jewish zealots, professing to be Christians, with letters from the early church leaders, were coming into the churches that Paul planted and telling these Gentile believers that they needed to do one more thing to be justified. They must be circumcised. This particular letter deals with the subject, and Paul doesn't mince words describing what needs to happen to these men.

Yes. The Cross is offensive in many ways. Especially toward our religious ways of thinking. The Cross lets us know that the Father and Son have done all of the heavy lifting. It reassures us that everything that needed to be done has been done. Tells us that "It Is Finished!" Reminds us that we can add nothing to what Jesus has accomplished, and that we dare not take anything away.

The Cross puts an end to sacrifice.
It puts an end to doing something to be justified.
Puts an end to the traditions of men.
And leads us into a life of faith, trust, and unbridled freedom in the Lord.

The Cross also reminds us of the price our Heavenly Father was willing to pay to redeem us. The demonstration of the Father's love for the world. The proof, if you will, that He would mine any depth, scale any height, and go to the greatest lengths to bring us back to Himself. The Cross also reminds us that we can get it so wrong. That we can absolutely miss what God is doing right in front of us. That we can kill the very thing that God has sent for our good.

While religion today embraces the Cross on the surface, I believe it struggles to accept the full reality of what the Cross has provided. So many believers are still living in a dual covenant. They "trust" in the Cross but lean heavily on the Law. The confess their faith in what Jesus has done, but struggle to live in the liberty that has been provided. We may not circumcise as a means of being justified, but we have our own lists. Many continue to judge on the outward appearance. Continue to hold to dietary restrictions (what you eat or drink). Continue to hold to form of godliness but deny the power thereof. Losing themselves in performance.

Personally, I embrace the offense of the Cross. There are some who will judge my freedom. Others that will judge my confidence in my identity in Christ. There will be people who scrutinize how I live out my relationship with the Father. They will do the same to you. I just wonder why we cannot seem to grasp the beauty of one of our old hymnals, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness..."

Take some time today to reflect on the offense of the Cross. Be in awe of the Father's goodness towards you. Stand amazed at His ability to take one of the ugliest moments in human history and turn into one of the most glorious demonstrations of love. Hear the words, "Father, forgive them, they don't know what they are doing." Tremble in the shout of "IT IS FINISHED!" Feel the weight of the Father's heart for you and the entire world. And remind yourself that your Heavenly Father believed you were worth it.

May the Lord continue to reveal His unfailing love for you. May you experience His peace and presence today. May you trust whole-heartily in His faithfulness. May you never lose your wonder.