Reasons for Rejection

We preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness . . . . (1 Corinthians 1:23 NKJV)

Yesterday we looked at the different reactions that the Jews and Greeks had to the message of the cross, and today we want to take a closer look at the underlying reasons for those reactions. In so doing, we can get a glimpse as to why some people respond the way they do when we share Jesus with them.

The Bible says that the Jews were "stumbled" by the cross. That's because every Jew in the first century had a preconceived idea of what the Christ would look like and do. According to their sacred Scriptures, He would enjoy national notoriety (Isaiah 9:6), would rule and reign righteously (Isaiah 9:7), and would be mighty militarily (Isaiah 30:30). How could He possibly suffer and die on a detestable cross? They were stumbled-or tripped up-by the very thought of their Christ being crucified because it didn't match their expectations of Him. Although those expectations were correct, they were incomplete-for the Scriptures also declare that the Christ would suffer and be sacrificed for our sins (Isaiah 53:4-5).

The Greeks saw the cross as a colossal exercise in foolishness: So let me get this straight. This Jesus, this Christ, this Savior comes to earth, gets arrested, and then gets executed? You're telling me that I need His help? It sounds like He needed my help! To the natural-minded man, the cross makes no sense: How can life come from death? But God has a way of doing things that seem impossible. Because the Greeks were outside of God's covenant, they didn't know Him and thus didn't appreciate His power.

When we put these two together, we see that some reject the cross because they have an incomplete knowledge of God's Word, while others reject it because they don't understand God's power. Jesus addressed both of these spiritual symptoms (Matthew 22:29), and understanding them is the first step in helping those who are stumbling to stop, and start seeing the truth of the gospel.

What preconceived ideas did you have about God before knowing Him personally? How have your expectations been met or exceeded in the person of Jesus Christ?

When I think about Jesus …