John Piper on the Ugly Beauty of Calvary
English: Jesus falling, while carrying the cross, on his way to calvary. The painting was by Anton Raphael Mengs, a German artist in the 18th century. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) We have a crisis if the cross loses its offense in our eyes. If we’re not offended by the cross, we’re in grave danger of losing the comfort and hope of the cross. Paul writes, “If I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed” (Galatians 5:11). Meaning, if I preach a righteousness through good works, then the cross is no longer necessary. The message of the cross — that we are sinful beyond saving unless God intervenes on our behalf — is softened or silenced by false gospels. The true gospel is the most offensive news ever announced: you are wicked and without hope in and of yourself. Your best efforts to be good are worthless — the worst kind of failure and rebellion. So the offensiveness can be removed, but when it’s strip