For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
— 1 Corinthians 1:22-25
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
— John 17:3
O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
— Galatians 3:1
But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
— Galatians 6:14
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
— Acts 4:12
Christ Alone, by Martin Luther.
For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
— 1 Corinthians 2:2
The purpose of the gospel is that only Christ must be preached. Whatever is written in the scriptures, whether in the Old or New Testament, leads to Christ alone.
It all points to him. Even when there are stories about Peter or John or the thief on the cross or others, they are written because of how Christ touched their lives. John the Baptist truly is highly commended in the New Testament, but his preaching and service was only there for Christ’s sake. He pointed to Christ with his own finger. The same is true for Mary, who made a song unto him. And the same is true also for the prophets and saints who pointed to Christ. He who preaches and teaches the gospel ought to be determined not to know anything save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. That is the only way in accordance with the Holy Scriptures.
The Bible does not only present Christ to us as a man full of grace and everlasting life, but also in a way that we would know his office and work from which he derives his name, Christ.
Every creature has been created for a certain purpose and task. Water has been created so that man may wash himself. Christ has his proper task and function that no one else has. He preaches and saves. Everything he does is focused on executing this purpose. That means he helps and saves, and he does what no man can do. For that reason, God dwells in him. Even angels and apostles do not possess the ability to bestow peace in their own strength. Only Christ received the power from God to save to the uttermost.
Our need and misery are that we live in sin. We are guilty of death. We should be in hell. We leave our good works undone. We are attacked by the world. We are constantly in warfare, yet we desire to live in peace and good health. Well, this is all in God’s hands. He has received the power over death and sin. He alone. Peter and Elijah performed miracles, but they received their strength from him. Christ alone receives the honor. To him is given all power in heaven and upon earth. In his fullness, we receive grace for grace, John 1:16. Christ alone can help in all peril and need, even in the greatest tribulation and even when we are nigh to death. If you have not found that truth in the scriptures yet, you have not found anything in them yet. It is on every page. The Bible only speaks of Christ.
A Christian derives his name from Christ. Just like Christ, the Christian has a proper task and purpose. He is called a Christian because he possesses Christ. A man is always called after that which he possesses. We bear the name of Christ because we possess him. And nobody can bear the name of Christian based on any work outside of faith in Christ. My work is not Christ. It is simply my work. I do not become a Christian by going on a pilgrimage to a holy city or by putting on a Catholic garment. Mary brought forth Christ and yet she cannot be called a Christian on account of that. Even if she had brought forth a hundred Christs. It is more to be a Christian than to give birth to him in the flesh. Therefore, Paul remarks that God has no respect of persons, Galatians 2:6. Paul sees the apostles’ office and person as something external.
Thieves and criminals can also bear an office. One does not become a Christian by any work. One becomes a Christian by something that no natural man can do of himself. Man becomes a Christian by hearing the word, for the preached word and sacrament bring Christ into my heart. A Christian is no Pharisee, for he does not rest on his own works. Christ is in his heart. We receive Christ and his work. He is a child of grace, and Christ will deliver him in the midst of enmity and death. This all comes from Christ.
When I look to Christ, I look to him completely. I take him unto me completely in baptism, in the Lord’s Supper, and also in this sermon. We cannot preach Christ enough as the devil will never sit still. When you believe in Christ, then you believe in the whole Christ, and you should. When you deny him in one thing, you deny him completely. If you would say and believe that Christ shed his blood, but you would not believe that his right hand was pierced, then you denied the whole Christ.
Although this is the most glorious preaching on earth, it is the most despised preaching at the same time. Behold, how much this preaching is despised. Whatever lies and falsehoods the pope propose, there will always be men that believe it. He for example preached about the angels giving commands to receive the souls of pilgrims. Yet, how many people truly believe that Christ is the savior?
The preaching of the cross is the best preaching there is, and yet it is marked everywhere. The girl in Matthew 9 was touched by Christ, and she lived. She lived as He executed His office and purpose, namely, that He is Lord over death. We shall not conquer sin and death unless we possess Christ. To Him be the glory.
For I determine not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
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