ONLY JESUS CRUCIFIED

“I determined that while I was with you I would speak of nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” –1 Corinthians 2:2

In seventeen days, the season of Lent will begin. What if you tried the following suggestion for the next seventeen days? In imitation of St. Paul (see 1 Cor 11:1), you would speak of nothing but the crucified Christ (1 Cor 2:2) until Ash Wednesday. It would take “the power of God” (1 Cor 2:5) to speak only of Jesus crucified for seventeen days. Yet the Gospel of Jesus crucified is “the power of God leading…to salvation” (Rm 1:16).

How do we keep the cross of Christ from losing “its flavor” or going “flat”? (Mt 5:13) We “keep our eyes fixed on Jesus” (Heb 12:2). How do we keep from losing our love of Jesus? (see Rv 2:4) When we speak and think of the crucified Jesus, we picture His pain, His outpoured blood, and His unfailing love for us; in this way, we don’t lose our flavor, go flat, or stop loving Him. It would pain Him too much if we “turned aside” from our love for Him (Rv 2:4).

Will we follow a Man Who had nail marks in His hands and feet? To follow in His footsteps, we must follow His bloodstained footprints all the way to Calvary. Who would want to follow such a religion? It’s so contrary to the world’s way of thinking (see 1 Cor 1:18; 2:14). But when the world observes our joy-filled, Spirit-filled love for the crucified Jesus despite any suffering it might cost, they might be convicted (Jn 16:8) and drawn to Jesus (Jn 12:32). Speak daily of the crucified Jesus.

PRAYER: Father, nail me to the cross with Jesus so that I may never abandon Him.
PROMISE: “Your faith rests not on the wisdom of men but on the power of God.” –1 Cor 2:5
PRAISE: “God is a saving God for us; the Lord, my Lord, controls the passageways of death” (Ps 68:21). Risen and merciful Jesus, when it’s time, call me home.