It’s the strongest who wins. It’s the richest who succeeds. It’s the smartest who achieves. Yet in God’s upside-down kingdom, it’s exactly the opposite. Sacrifice brings salvation. Death brings life. Love cures hate. This defies human logic. “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong… to nullify the things that are” (1 Corinthians 1:27-28). The most profound example is when the King of the world died like a criminal on a cross. Yet in this was the greatest gift ever seen. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). It was not only the greatest gift but the greatest victory—eternal life for all through one seemingly illogical act. “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?… But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:55, 57). Today we remember the darkness, the sacrifice, and the death. But tomorrow is coming, bringing the light, the gift, and life evermore. (Craig B)
