Knowing Christ Crucified

​1 Corinthians 2:1-2 ~ “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”
 
In a culture built upon the sagacity of man, the wisdom of God might seem to be a foolish thing. Truly, the Apostle Paul had a well-trained intellect, highly educated at the feet of one who was considered a premier rabbi of Judea. He was pedigreed with tremendous history and as far as human wisdom he would be considered among the most elite. Paul testifies to this in Acts 22:3, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.” So, as Paul writes to the church in Corinth, he is writing to a group that dwells in a city replete with such worldly wisdom as paganism and sensualism. The wisdom of the world pervaded the city and risked infecting the church.
 
Why then did Paul not bring forth a wise argument according to human standards? For we see in His opening statement of our text today, “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.” It would seem logical to come to a city that enjoyed debate, that filtered all things by human wisdom, and speak of Christ in terms that would impress them by his strong arguments concerning the person of Christ. Surely the city would have come to listen, even set up debates and deliberations, to hold council together with all the rest of the wise philosophers of the city. Large crowds would have gathered to hear the lofty speeches flying like arrows. But, beloved, the truth of Christ is not gained through Human wisdom. Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 2:14, “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” There can be no persuasive argument for Christ that is based upon human wisdom. I have seen it tried, and perhaps you have too, where a great philosopher attempts to convince an atheist of the person of Christ. They make all manner of arguments in favor of Christ, and their words are true. But the atheist remains unconvinced for He also holds to a philosophical wisdom that he prefers. In short, you will never argue someone into the kingdom of Christ.
 
Paul makes the determined decision that we all must make. He writes, “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” Why bring it down to the simplicity of the LORD’s sacrifice? Because there is no place where a person can argue away the truth of the crucifixion of Christ. Paul told the Galatians, “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified” (Galatians 3:1). There are some powerful truths that we must consider, and apply to our lives, as we walk through this world.
 
First, Paul determined to know nothing among them “except Jesus Christ.” Do you determine to know Christ Jesus everywhere you go? Have you stepped along with Him in this life only when it is comfortable and convenient or will you walk with the LORD when you are led through challenges beyond your ability? If the pressure mounts, will you remain with Christ or abandon Him to ease your way through this world. Though a lion-like man in the end, even Peter suffered the fearful reality of being identified with the LORD. Matthew 26:69-70 reveals, “Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, ‘You also were with Jesus the Galilean.’ But he denied it before them all, saying, ‘I do not know what you mean.’” Before the challenge to our faith arrives, let us even now determine to stand with Christ, identified with Him in all things.
 
Second, Paul determined to know nothing among them except Jesus Christ, “and him crucified.” This brings us to the purpose for which Christ came. The LORD of Glory arrived on this earth to take our penalty for sins. As Paul brought clarity to the remembrance supper of the LORD, he said, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” 1 Corinthians 11:26). In all places the apostle would travel, he wanted to make known what Jesus did on behalf of those who would believe. And that must be our desire as well. Let us reveal to the lost world the crucified Christ. Dear ones, the Spirit of Christ can move the simple message of the gospel into the heart of the lost, where the wisdom of man will do nothing.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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