Behind the scenes, a lot of the articles on this site for the past few years have been based on lessons that I prepare for a Sunday School class that I teach. The Lookout study guide (cited below) provides a text from the Bible, and sometimes I use a few insights and quotes from its excellent devotions and commentary, but most of the content comes directly from the Bible itself, along with my own study (including commentaries). Rather than overwhelming you with 3000 words of notes (meant to be taught, rather than read), each lesson typically becomes 4-6 articles, each one expanded and updated from the original lesson, allowing us to take a little more time to explore different principles from the Bible.
The current mini-series of articles was originally taught the week after Resurrection Sunday (or Easter). Looking back, the class and I could recall the previous Sunday, when we had taken time to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. A few days before that, though, there was also a reminder of Jesus’ crucifixion on what we call “Good Friday”.
But, let’s think about that name: “Good Friday” wasn’t good because an innocent man was murdered. That makes no sense, especially for those who don’t understand the cost of sin, or how it separated us from God. To those who think that this life is all that there is, and don’t see any need to prepare for a future with – or without – an all-powerful, holy, just, and loving God, this event seems like a travesty.
On the other hand, for those who appreciate that Jesus made the choice to give up His life for us so that He could bring salvation to everyone who will accept it, we can understand why this was necessary . Even with all that we know about Jesus’ crucifixion, it still was a travesty…just one with a greater purpose. Sin is bad, and the penalty for sin that Jesus bore on the cross was a terrible, ugly, messy thing. However, His heroic sacrifice on our behalf was noble and good.
Consider what Paul wrote to the church in Corinth about the message that Paul taught concerning Jesus’ crucifixion (among other things).
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV
This message of the Savior of the world dying on a cross to save sinful people makes no sense – it is “foolishness”, as Paul writes here – to those who are lost in their sins.
On the other hand, for those who understand and accept this message, the power of God is brought to bear on our lives. And, we need the power of God. As Romans 5:6-8 explains, we weren’t just missing a couple of details about the truth. We didn’t need to work just a little bit harder to “be good”. No, we were powerless.
Sometimes, the truth doesn’t make sense at first. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth studying further and understanding, especially when for truths that have a significant impact on our lives. I have learned the reality of many things that didn’t make sense at first (whether in mathematics, physics, or relationships), but now that I at least understand how things work, my life is the better for it.
So, if the teachings of Jesus don’t make sense to you yet – if they still seem upside down, irrelevant, or confusing to you – I hope that you will take the time to dig into them a little deeper, and see them for the reality that they are. It will be worth your effort to do so.
And, if the truth of Jesus is something that you’ve experienced and benefitted from, don’t be too quick to judge those whose backgrounds and experiences have kept them from seeing the same thing. Pray for them, love them, and be willing to share with them what you have found. Do so in a way that is kind and considerate of their context. It will be worth your effort to do so.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for April 7, 2024
References:
- The Lookout, April 7, 2024, © 2024 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – 1 Corinthians, by Richard E. Oster, Jr. © 1995 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 