Scandalous

In recent weeks, we've been hearing the word "scandalous" used quite a few times in the pulpit. We've referred to the Incarnation (God the Son coming down as man to be a light among darkness and reveal the Father to the world) as scandalous. We've referred to Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well as a scandalous rescue.

And it's true - the entire message of the Gospel, and the entire work of Jesus Christ... is scandalous. But, are we clear on what the word scandalous means? I think that, in this day age, when we hear the word scandalous or scandal, our minds automatically think of an event that is ethically or morally questionable. We think of a politician's sex scandal, or of an athlete's doping scandal.

But scandal or scandalous, which we usually see translated in Scripture as "stumbling block" (e.g. 1 Cor 2:3) doesn't necessarily connote moral compromise. Sometimes, it can be taken to mean shocking or absurd or even disgraceful... but without the moral compromise. We understand the entrance of the Son of God into this world in human flesh as shocking. Why would God choose to do such a thing? To some, it even seems absurd. God would never do such a thing... that's ridiculous. And, for the sinless Son of God to be crucified upon a cross and subject to disgrace in this world for the sake of sinners... that is scandalous.

So grace, after all, is scandalous. But not scandalous in the way that we would associate with a promiscuous celebrity or a corrupt politician. Scandalous in a way such that we are left asking, "God, why would You, the almighty Creator of the universe who is righteous and sovereign, take any notice of me? Why would You not spare your Son but instead choose to give Him up for sinners? God, why would you show such grace and mercy to those undeserving and to those unable ever to repay?"

Scandalous. Shocking. Absurd. Ridiculous. Nonsensical. Some just cannot get past the foolishness of the Gospel - it's a stumbling block, a scandal that one is unable to apprehend. Others embrace the Gospel in all its foolishness and find their lives transformed by the Holy Spirit's awakening to the sweetness of the Savior.

What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? (Ps. 8:4)

For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Cor. 1:21-24)

And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. (Heb. 13:12-14)