As we enter into the new year I want to commence a new study from the Word of God, this will take the form of a devotional study into various themes and subject, that I pray will edify, comfort and encourage those who read, to grow in the grace of God and the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

The first study will center around the theme of the Cross, and its bearing in and on our lives as believers of Jesus Christ.

Reflections of the Cross.
 
And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.

For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.

Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory;

The wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; 1 Corinthians 2v1-8.

The thought I want to bring to you on the commencement of this devotion is;
The Cross and its action was a mystery hid in God.

Many times through the Word of God we are taught that God’s ways and His thoughts are not automatically conceived and understood by our natural minds, we are dependent on the Holy Spirit who brings the light of revelation to bare in and on our lives.

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55v8-9.
 
In the portion of scripture taken from the book of Corinthians, we are instructed that the natural wisdom of man cannot comprehend the workings of the cross, Paul even in preaching on the cross bore testimony that one needs the wisdom of God to convey the message.

Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory;

I want you to take note that the Apostle Paul who was a very learned person in his own natural capacity,

I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2v3-5.

The Cross a mystery.

In the Greek the word for mystery is -Mysterion.
The full meaning of this word or terminology is ;
That which is a secret.
Something which is hidden away.
Concealed from view.

The plan and execution of the redemption of man, was known only to the Godhead, even the angels of God were outside of the
mystery, through this concealment locked up in God now we can understand why the princes of this world were not able to
discern nor prevent the working of Christ on His cross.

had to depend on the Holy Spirit to anoint him and inspire him, and this is still the only successful , effective and God appointed presentation of the Gospel message.

  Forasmuch as ye know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.
 
The cross and its workings and of Jesus’ redemptive work of grace were hidden in the counsel of the Godhead before the foundation of the world, and of more significance even before the existence of time itself.
 
Be not you therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner: but be you partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world*began.
2Timothy 1v8-9.  

*[1] Galatians 1v14.
*[2] 1 Corinthians 2v8.
Principalities and powers, which are spiritual realms of influence, and princes or rulers of this world, which are earthly realms of government, are condemned as being impotent before the counsel of Almighty God.

  The word for world here is referring to time, Chronos, not Cosmos.

Have a Blessed and Happy New Year...In Jesus Name, Peter