Cross Ethics (4) (Matthew 18:21-35)

Our Lord concludes the second sermon on the mount with a parable that answer’s Peter’s question: how many times do we forgive?  Christ speaks of us bearing our cross before the Lord by showing this forgiveness.  What is the standard of forgiveness and how does this depth of forgiveness assure us of Christ’s mercy? 

Friday Fools (1 Corinthians 1:18)

Christ assures us that the folly of Christ’s cross is salvation manifested by the power of God.  How can this be?  This sounds impossible because the cross is a method of execution.  Why would we want this symbol?  The tragedy is that we are tempted to sanitize this symbol, but why is that so tragic?  What could be the possible benefit of this cross?

Fatal Friday or Victorious V-Day? (John 19:17-42)

When we think about Christ on the cross it is not something that is celebratory.  That means we do not look at this event and celebrate the reality of the promises of God.  The reason why I say this is because Christ has died.  He died on the cross for what?  He died on the cross for our sins.  The disciples are rattled, his followers are rattled, but what has Christ done that is so good?  Why would we call this Good Friday and not Fatal Friday if this is about the death of Christ?  Death means failure right?  Or are we missing something about that?

A Strange Pep Talk (Mark 10:32-52)

When we face the trials of life we want a strong leader to tell us what to do.  If we are honest we really want the leader to tell us that it is all going to be okay.  You cannot find a better or stronger leader than God God as He is the one who made us and knows us.  So, you would think that Christ would tell His disciples that it is all going to be okay when they enter Jerusalem. Well, this is not what Christ does at all.  Why does Christ give such a strange pep talk prior to their entrance into Jerusalem?

Really? This is Our King? (Mark 15:16-39)

It is always strange that we celebrate a Good Friday when we commemorate our Lord’s death.  Why is it good that Christ died on the cross?  What does Christ’s death on the cross do that is so significant?  Why is it so hard for those around Christ to see the necessity of His death?