Preaching Christ, And Him Crucified

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Grace and peace be with you all in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Today, we gather here to delve into the heart of the Christian message, encapsulated in the words of the Apostle Paul: "Preach Christ, and Him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2). These words, simple yet profound, encapsulate the essence of our faith and the transformative power of the cross.

In a world filled with competing voices and ideologies, it is imperative that we, as followers of Christ, hold fast to the centrality of the message of the cross. The cross, an instrument of death and shame in the eyes of the world, becomes the very source of our hope, redemption, and reconciliation with God.

Let us first reflect on the call to "Preach Christ." What does it mean to preach Christ? It is not merely the proclamation of historical facts about Jesus of Nazareth, but a declaration of the personhood, the divinity, and the significance of Jesus Christ. We are called to proclaim the Good News that Jesus is the Son of God, the Word made flesh, who came to dwell among us (John 1:14).

To preach Christ is to proclaim His teachings, His compassion, and His unwavering commitment to love. It is to share the radical message of grace and forgiveness that He brought, breaking down the barriers of sin and self-righteousness. Our task is not just to inform the intellect but to transform the heart, to invite people into a life-altering relationship with Jesus Christ.

Yet, Paul goes further, urging us not only to preach Christ but specifically to preach "Him crucified." The cross, an emblem of suffering and shame, becomes the focal point of our message. It is at the cross that the justice and mercy of God intersect, where divine love and human sin converge. The crucifixion is not an unfortunate event in the life of Jesus; it is the very means by which God reconciles the world to Himself.

In preaching Christ crucified, we confront the uncomfortable reality of our own brokenness and the cost of redemption. The cross stands as a symbol of God's justice—sin cannot go unpunished—but also of His boundless mercy—God took that punishment upon Himself in the person of Jesus Christ.

The cross challenges our worldly notions of power and success. It is a paradoxical sign of strength in weakness, victory in apparent defeat. As followers of the crucified Christ, we are called to embrace the way of the cross in our own lives—a life of sacrificial love, humility, and service.

In a culture that often seeks success, comfort, and pleasure, the message of the cross may seem foolish (1 Corinthians 1:18). But it is in this apparent foolishness that we find the wisdom of God—the power to transform lives and bring salvation.

As we preach Christ, and Him crucified, let us do so with humility, knowing that it is not our eloquence or wisdom that brings people to faith, but the Holy Spirit working through the message of the cross. Let our lives reflect the transformative power of the crucified Christ, and may our proclamation be accompanied by a demonstration of love, compassion, and justice.

In conclusion, my dear brothers and sisters, let us heed the words of the Apostle Paul: "For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2). In a world desperately in need of hope and redemption, may we boldly and unashamedly preach Christ, and Him crucified, trusting in the power of the cross to bring salvation to all who believe.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.