The Wisdom and Power of God

What do you see when you survey the Cross?

At first glance —

When I survey the Cross I see weakness but the wisdom of God is displayed here. 
When I survey the Cross I see shame but God uses it for our salvation.
When I survey the Cross I see a mess but it is God’s masterpiece.
When I survey the Cross I see death but God uses it to put death to death.
When I survey the Cross I see utter foolishness but it is here we see the forgiveness of God.
When I survey the Cross I see senselessness but it is here we see how serious a sin really is.
When I survey the Cross I see brutality but it is here the scandalous beauty of God is unveiled.

If we humble ourselves at the Cross we see both the wisdom and the power of God —

At the Cross, we see Jesus drinking the cup of the holy Justice of God!
At the Cross, we see Jesus pouring out the unfathomable, vast dimensions of God’s love toward us
At the Cross, we see Jesus, the  Son of God, who died for us to rescue us and bring us Home! 

The Cross changes everything...  even what we sing about.   

Listen to the words of Isaac Watts in the Hymn, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

His dying crimson, like a robe,
Spreads o’er His body on the tree;
Then I am dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Isaac Watts

What do you see?

1 Corinthians 1:17-18 (23-25)