Christ Crucified

 by John Paul

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness. - 1 Cor 1:23

In this verse we see two sets of people, Jews and Greeks who needed to know about the Christ crucified. We see in the New Testament how Peter addressed Jews in one way and Paul preached to the Greeks in another way but both introducing the Christ crucified. Since the Jews already knew the law, sin and death from the Old Testament, Peter spoke about the Christ and his death and resurrection. Their only stumbling block was the cross and when Peter explained the relevance of the cross more than 3000 people were saved in one sitting. But Paul when he spoke to the Greeks, he had to start all the way from God creating man, man choosing to sin, man needed a savior since he was not able to save himself, etc. 

In modern times we clearly see that people outside the church are more like Greeks and Christ crucified is foolishness to them. It is therefore necessary for us to approach them carefully rather than talking to them as we would talk to the Jews.

Let us search our hearts and see if our life is really showing the Christ crucified in a proper manner so that it would not be a stumbling block or foolishness to either Jews or Greeks. 

Bible also says in 1 Cor 1:22 "Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom". Therefore, let us not dilute the power of the cross and christ crucified by always looking for miracles, signs and man made wisdom.