Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted?  In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished (Galatians 5:11).

The cross represented humiliation and failure and death.  For the Romans, it was the cruelest form of punishment, reserved for the lowest of criminals.  Jesus chose that death to identify with us in our loneliness and failure and humiliation.  He bore not only physical pain, but the horror of being separated from the Father for the first time in eternity.  He endured what we could never endure to pay a price we could never pay.  In return, when we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ we take that offense upon ourselves and wear it as a badge of honor and a sign of glory.

Unless, of course, we could have earned our own way by following the rules and being “good enough.”

Then the whole thing is just pathetic and silly.

Remember, Beloved: more of you means less of him.

It really works better the other way ‘round.

Happy Monday, Beloved.