PRAY: Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us to hear them, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

READ: 1 Corinthians 2:1–5

MEDITATE:
But we preach Christ crucified…

What did the apostles preach? What picture of Christ did they paint with their words? Did they paint the picture of a young teacher gathering crowds, sharing words of hope and comfort? Did they paint the picture of Jesus’ healing hand offered to the broken and the sick? Or even of the Christ child, lying in the manger? All of these images, all of these pictures are absolutely accurate. Jesus taught. He welcomed little children, he healed the sick, and he was born helpless and was placed in a manger. But the focus of Paul’s preaching was not on the manger, but on the cross: “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (2:2).

The cross: it is the end point of the gospels. It is the subject of apostolic preaching. It is the center point of the Eucharist (a perpetual memory of his precious death and sacrifice, until he comes again). It is the focus of our gaze during Sunday worship. For me, the cross is a constant reminder of two very important truths: The first, and unpleasant, truth is that my distance from God, my weakness and sin, are so great that someone had to die for me. But the second truth, the good news, is that someone did die in my place: Jesus Christ, God’s only son. And I am glad that the apostle resolved to know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified (v. 2), because I need the constant reminder of my great need and his great love.

Questions and Application:

1. What does this passage say?
2. What does this passage mean?
3. What are you reminded of when you look at the cross?
4. What “image” or “picture” of Christ is being painted by TEC? Does that picture align with the picture painted by the apostles?

PRAY: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, we pray you to set your passion, cross, and death between your judgment and our souls, now and in the hour of our death. Give mercy and grace to the living; pardon and rest to the faithful dead; to your holy Church peace and concord; and to us sinners everlasting life and glory; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen.