Understanding the Offense and Glory of the Cross According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

What was the central message of the Apostle Paul's preaching according to Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the central message of Paul's preaching was the cross of Christ. He points to evidence in Galatians where Paul says, "Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you." Lloyd-Jones explains that Paul proclaimed Christ crucified as "the very nerve and center of his preaching." This is further supported by Paul's words to the Corinthians: "I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and him crucified." Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that the message of the cross - the death of Jesus on Calvary as the one and only means of salvation - was not just Paul's message but the central theme of all apostolic preaching.

What are the two opposing reactions to the preaching of the cross that Lloyd-Jones identifies?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies two diametrically opposed reactions to the preaching of the cross:

1. Offense - Some people are deeply offended by it. As Paul writes in Galatians 5:11, "If I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? Then is the offense of the cross ceased?" Lloyd-Jones explains that the word "offense" means something annoying, hateful, and something that "arouses deep and bitter antagonism and contempt."

2. Glory - Others glory in it. As Paul declares in Galatians 6:14, "God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." Lloyd-Jones explains that "glory" here means to boast in or be proud of something - to base and bank everything on it.

According to Lloyd-Jones, these are ultimately the only two possible reactions to the true preaching of the cross.

Why is the cross offensive to many people according to Lloyd-Jones?

According to Lloyd-Jones, the cross is offensive to many people because of what it proclaims about humanity. He identifies several reasons:

1. It declares all people to be sinners - The cross proclaims that "every one of us is a sinner" and that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

2. It declares all people to be helpless - The cross shows that we cannot save ourselves: "It doesn't matter how much good I try to do, it'll never be enough. He alone could do it."

3. It places everyone on the same level - The cross says there is "no difference" between moral and immoral people, educated and uneducated, religious and irreligious when it comes to salvation. Everyone needs Christ equally.

4. It hurts human pride - "It takes the ground from beneath their feet. We all by nature want to boast and we are proud of our achievements."

Lloyd-Jones explains that the Jews were offended because the cross undermined their trust in nationality, circumcision, and law-keeping. Greeks were offended because it contradicted their trust in human wisdom and philosophy.

What makes someone glory in the cross rather than be offended by it?

According to Lloyd-Jones, what makes someone glory in the cross rather than be offended by it is seeing its true meaning and personal implications. He explains this transformation through Paul's own experience:

1. Seeing who is on the cross - "The first thing that's necessary before you glory in the cross is to realize who's there - Son of God, Prince of glory, second person in the blessed holy trinity."

2. Understanding what's happening there - "His soul is being made an offering for sin. He is the lamb of God... God hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."

3. Recognizing its personal benefits - When one truly sees the cross, they realize: "My sins are forgiven. I am reconciled to God... I am dead to the law. I am a forgiven man. I'm a justified man. I am a free man."

4. Perceiving God's character revealed there - The cross shows God's justice, faithfulness, and love: "The prince of glory, suffering, dying for me and for my sins, loves so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all."

When someone sees these truths, Lloyd-Jones says everything else "recedes and pales into insignificance," and they can say with Paul, "God forbid that I should glory save in the cross."

How does Lloyd-Jones distinguish true preaching of the cross from false interpretations?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones distinguishes true preaching of the cross from false interpretations by examining the reactions it produces. He argues that when the cross is truly preached, it either offends deeply or causes people to glory in it - there is no middle ground of mere admiration or sympathy.

He identifies several false interpretations of the cross:

1. The cross as merely evoking pity - When people just feel sorry for Jesus, they've missed the true message. Jesus himself rebuked this reaction: "Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves."

2. The cross as merely a tragedy - Viewing Jesus' death as just "the supreme tragedy" of a good man misunderstood by his generation fails to produce either offense or glory.

3. The cross as merely an example of passive resistance - Seeing Jesus' death as just teaching pacifism doesn't explain why it would deeply offend anyone or why anyone would glory in it.

True preaching of the cross, according to Lloyd-Jones, is intensely personal - it confronts people with their sin and helplessness while revealing God's holiness and love in providing salvation through Christ's sacrificial death, which demands a decisive response.