Christ Crucified

Many things can divide us, but one truth can unite us. Jesus Christ chose the cross, died and rose again that we would all find unity in our new life with Him.

“Korah...became insolent and rose up against Moses. With them were 250 Israelite men, well-known community leaders who had been appointed members of the council. They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron...Moses said to Korah, “You and all your followers are to appear before the Lord tomorrow—you and they and Aaron. “Separate yourselves from this assembly...Move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram...Moses got up and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. If these men die a natural death and suffer the fate of all mankind, then the Lord has not sent me. But if the Lord brings about something totally new, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them, with everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the realm of the dead, then you will know that these men have treated the Lord with contempt.” As soon as he finished saying all this, the ground under them split apart and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, and all those associated with Korah, together with their possessions...And fire came out from the Lord and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense."

Numbers‬ ‭16‬:‭1‬-‭4‬, ‭11‬, ‭16‬, ‭21‬, ‭24‬-‭25‬, ‭29‬-‭33‬, ‭35‬, ‭41‬-‭45‬, ‭47‬-‭50

Have you ever just had enough? Have you ever wanted to revolt against the people in charge? History is full of times where people rose up against the ruling authorities to chart a new path. Korah and several other influential leaders were done following Aaron and Moses and they essentially were starting a coup. Moses warns them that they are not rising against him, but against God. The coup did not end well.

At the root of the matter, what would have caused the division? Why did Korah and his crew complain and try to take charge? Our actions reflect our heart and our hearts reflect what we have heard. In Korah's case, he had been listening to the grumbling of the community and got caught in the gossip. He likely had listened to the voice of the enemy speak the same thing as the snake spoke in the garden. He heard the voice to not trust God and chose to take matters into his own hands. We could judge Korah and his companions, or we could recognize that we can walk into the same traps. How often do you engage in grumbling and gossip? How often do you question God's plan, His timing, and His processes? Do you ever hear a voice whisper the lie to not trust God?

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” ‭‭

Psalms‬ ‭133‬:‭1‬

These words hold even more power when considering the source and the season. David was king and as such he experienced the highs and lows of leading others. This song is part of the songs of ascent. What lifts David's heart? When others get along and more importantly find unity in their faithfulness to God.

What is the strongest unifying force? Love. The love of God is a gift to us all that can bring us together in a way that is unlike any other. Unfortunately, we see divisions inside church walls as often as we do in common culture. Why is this? The simple answer is the church is full of imperfect people needing help from a perfect Savior and they are going to make mistakes. Have you ever walked away from a church or known someone to walk away from the church body because of a hurt? How can you be part of bring unity to the body through how you bring love to others? How can God shine His love in and through you to bring reconciliation today?

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.” ‭‭

Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭8‬-‭11

Solomon shares the importance of two types of people that bring unity. People who stand up for others and people who see the importance of the heart in building relationships. ‬How do you relate to either of these? Some people have great difficulty with conflict or confrontation so speaking up for others could seem terrifying. Standing up for others does not have to involve the vocal chords. Some of the loudest affirmations of support can be by meeting the needs of others through sharing, service, and emotional support. How can you do this for someone else today?

It has been said if you want a friend you have to be a friend. The same is true for the noble spouse. If you want a life with a spouse you can count on, you should start by reflecting on how you can be that to the other person in your relationship. Take the first step, surrender self-rightousness or pride, and find how you can serve others. This is nobility. Jesus is our king and He said He came to serve, not to be served.

“Then the glory of the Lord rose from above the cherubim and moved to the threshold of the temple. The cloud filled the temple, and the court was full of the radiance of the glory of the Lord."

Ezekiel‬ ‭10‬:‭3‬-‭4‬, ‭18‬

Truth tells us that we are each made to glorify the Lord. How will you glorify the Lord today? Ezekiel saw the glory of the Lord fill the temple. It has been written that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and can be filled with God's glory. How can you empty yourself so that you could be filled with the glory of the Lord today? ‭

“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? For 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. but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God...Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭5‬, ‭8‬, ‭10‬, ‭13‬, ‭17‬-‭18‬, ‭23‬-‭24‬, ‭26‬, ‭31

We live in a world where there are those who mock Jesus and the Christians who follow Him. We live in a very divided world. Even among people who profess to follow Jesus, we see divisions politically, socially, economically, relationally, and in so many other ways. Why? Why are we so divided? Jesus said to love those who are not like you. What does that mean to you? Can you love the person whose views, attitude, and actions do not align with you? Or do you just spend time with people who talk and think like you?

How do the words of Paul challenge you today? How can they bring transformation to your Tuesdays? Division and offense are denials of Christ crucified. Jesus chose the cross that the veil would be torn and we could all learn to be united by the love that overcame death. Do you need help finding the strength to respond with grace and peace in the midst of your present circumstances? Paul says Christ and preaching Christ crucified to yourself is the power and wisdom of God.

When you are unsure of what to do or how unity could come, consider Christ crucified. How is that so powerful? Because that moment changed all of history and was the embodiment of all that Jesus preached in the Sermon on the Mount. Christ humbled Himself to the point of death that we would never die. Jesus death and resurrection should be the central truth that dominates our thinking. How do we have time for the pain of offense when we should be focusing on our praise of thanksgiving for what He has done for us? Do you want the wisdom and power of God? Paul says preach Christ crucified and let your boast be in the Lord.