For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

—1 Corinthians 1:17-19 (TNIV)

If you focus on the not being sent to baptize but preach part you miss the point of this passage. Do you see the cross as God’s wisdom or as foolishness? Sadly there are a lot of folks, theologians, clergy, and laymen in the mainlines today that see it as foolishness. They recoil at the thought of atonement or even for the need of the cross. In doing so, they are putting themselves above God’s word and robbing themselves and others of God’s grace and power to live their lives in humble submission to him. That truly is a shame because in the cross is our God’s plan of salvation for us.

This Lent, reflect on the cross so that you may better understand why it is God’s wisdom and why there is Good News in it.