Sermon for Lent Midweek 4

 “We preach Christ Crucified.”

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

1 Corinthians 1:18-25  For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. . . . ²² For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, ²³ but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, ²⁴ but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

We preach Christ crucified. That word “Preach” has become a technical term and specifically churchly activity. But all Christians do it, when we talk about Christ crucified to others. When a mother sings “Jesus loves me” to her infant, she’s preaching Christ crucified. When a father prays with his small children and teaches them by word and action, he is preaching Christ crucified. When a Christian sees their neighbor down in the dumps and gives the consolation of heavenly forgiveness and hope of heavenly life, you’re preaching Christ crucified.

But mostly we use that word “preach” to mean what the whole church does together publicly, corporately, when the man appointed and ordained preaches, proclaims, announces the word of Jesus Christ.

Paul here in 1 Corinthians used the Greek word for preach, that was used especially of official announcements. Before there was mass media there were specially appointed messengers, or criers who would go into the center of town or at the entry gate of town, wherever people gathered and he would announce or proclaim important messages. Maybe there would be chariot races tomorrow afternoon. Maybe the king had issued an important decree. Maybe there was news to announce that the king’s armies were victorious in an epic battle.

We preach Christ crucified. And in this announcement there is good news of our King’s important decree—you are justified by His grace. There is good news of our King’s victory in an epic battle. As we sing in the hymn, he is the death of death our foe.

Christ crucified, some may think it sounds like Christ lost, God’s Son was beaten and defeated. But no, Christ crucified is the power of God. Some may think it sounds foolish. But no, “Christ crucified the power of God and the wisdom of God.  For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

You heard how those who passed by the crucified Christ mocked Him. They said, “If You are the Son of God, come down. But they had it all wrong. It’s just the opposite. Since He is the Son of God, He must stay on the cross. The true Savior, the true Son of God, the true Christ is the crucified Christ.

The opening hymn said it this way,

“Uplifted for the world to see

He hangs in strangest victory,

For in His body on the tree

He carries all our ills.

Romans 3 says that Christ crucified is how we who have sinned and fall short of the glory of God are redeemed and justified and given atonement for our sins. And it says this is for all who believe (vs. 22). So that we believe, we preach and we listen, to this announcement, this good news, this proclamation from on high:  Christ crucified. Amen.