Appearances Deceive

by: Chic Broersma

What is weaker or more foolish than a dead man on a cross? Yet the death of Jesus is world-shaking power and ultimate wisdom. By the power of the cross, “the prince of this world is cast out” and peoples from all nations are drawn in faith to Jesus.

We have power to build and to destroy. We can fly into outer space. We can conquer many diseases. We make advancements in science, medicine, and art. We kill with the push of a button. We can destroy economies with our greed. And we advance in our ability to tear down just as we do in our ability to build up. But where is the power to clear the guilty conscience, the cleansing power enabling us to appear before our Judge without fear? Only the gospel has the spiritual might to renew our minds and redeem our behavior. Only of Jesus do millions confess: “On the third day he rose again from the dead.” Here’s the “stop the presses” good news for all people. The Bible promises, “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies . . .” (Rom. 8:11).

The cross that appears silly, weak, and despised “brings to nothing” the proud of this world. Mighty civilizations crumble and fall while “the poor in spirit see God.” Do Paul’s words reflect your values? Will you live by them today?