crucified

"There is no military battle, no geographical exploration, no scientific discovery, no literary creation, no artistic achievement, no moral heroism that compares to it.

It is unique, massive, monumental, unprecedented, and unparalleled. The cross of Christ is not a small secret that may or may not get out. The cross of Christ is not a minor incident in the political history of the first century that is a nice illustration of courage.

It is the center."

when eugene peterson says this statement he is stating something that is true about Jesus and the cross and is supposed to be true about us. the gospel must be at the center. this is essential. it is at the center of our theology and our thoughts, it is at the center of beliefs and behaviors, it needs to be at the center of our understanding of grace and the center of our self-understanding.

if the grace of God through the work of Christ on the cross is at the center...then other items are de-centered...my ego, pride, preferences, opinions, actions, ambitions, prejudices, among other items are put in a different place. those things that are both good and the bad about those things are not significant enough to be at the center. they are the sand the foolish man built his house on, as opposed to the wise who built his house on the rock (Jesus)...everything else is sand.

td