Jesus' Cross: Still Foolishness and a Stumbling Block to Most People

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It seems we recognize the wooden cross more than what it symbolizes. The wooden church is more acceptable in church (it's placed on church buildings and inside altars) than the sufferings of Christ which we are called to:

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. [1 Peter 2.21]

Of course, we're not to have ourselves crucified literally on the cross. Christ already did that to pay for our sins. We don't need to repeat it. But we have to embrace the life of suffering persecution for His Name and for living out his Word daily.

The Jesus cross is also about staying meek and simple, "poor in spirit" and abandoning all forms of worldliness while being in the world. It's about living the holy life of Jesus and stopping feeding the flesh or ego. This Jesus cross is still foolishness to many church people and still serves as a stumbling block. 

The meaning of the Jesus cross is a great hindrance if you're after the world's recognition, standards, and ways. Today, you see a lot of the world's systems in church because these systems put the church on the map. They want to be mega churches to be respected by the world, and to be that they have to bow down to the world's wishes.

We preach Christ crucified [1 Corinthians 1.23]--preaching not just the Gospel that saves but also the Jesus LIFE that radically does away with anything appreciated by the world.

And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! [Job 19,26-17]