“Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, ‘How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?’ When Jesus heard it, He said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.’” Mark 2:15-17.
The cross of Christ comes in many forms, whether as silver, gold, or jewel encrusted necklaces, expensive or plaster wall hangings, or decorative wood carvings, it is understood as an amulet, good luck charm, or family heirloom, but nothing approaches what it really represents.
“Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles [non-Jews] in the flesh – who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands – that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been made near by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:11-13.
The cross of Christ comes in many forms, whether as silver, gold, or jewel encrusted necklaces, expensive or plaster wall hangings, or decorative wood carvings, it is understood as an amulet, good luck charm, or family heirloom, but nothing approaches what it really is.
You will find these shiny pieces of jewelry around the necks of prostitutes, movie stars, and gangsters, as well as everyday people. Many of these folk’s lives are contradictory to what the preaching of the cross of Christ stands for.
“Behold, the wicked brings forth iniquity; yes, he conceives trouble and brings forth falsehood. He made a pit and dug it out, and has fallen into the ditch which he made. His trouble shall return upon his own head. And his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown.” Psalm 7:14-16.
“Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. Now it was Caiaphas who gave counsel to the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.” John 18:12-14.
