The Crux of the Matter

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. --1 Corinthians 1:18

A four-letter word that means "the most important point" is crux. I find it interesting that crux is Latin for cross. Another definition of crux is "the hardest move or series of moves on a climb." It is fitting that during the 40-day period of Lent we think about the cross and what it means in terms of Christ's sacrifice for us.

Because Jesus was fully human, His journey up Calvary's hill to the cross must have been one of the most difficult moves of His short life. I can hardly imagine the anguish, the fear, and the pain He must have been going through. In fact, nothing any of us have ever experienced in life even begins to compare to what He experienced--and He did so willingly!

To those who do not understand that Jesus who was fully God took on human form so that He could die for the sins of the world, those facts are utter foolishness. Christians are also considered fools for "buying into" the whole thing. Those people's eyes are shut tightly against God's truth. They do not see their need for God's forgiveness, and they do not realize that they are perishing because of it. For those of us who recognize that we are completely unworthy of God's favor, the message of the cross is incredible. It is God's incredible power revealed to us. He provided a way for us to be with Him for all eternity despite the fact that we are vile, despicable sinners.

The most important point (i.e. the crux) is that Christ's work on the cross was the greatest, most selfless sacrifice that anyone has ever made. It is a visible and powerful demonstration of the extent of God's love for us. If we believe that Christ died on the cross and resurrected on the third day, and we acknowledge that His death was punishment that we deserved, we are saved from an eternity of separation from God.