1 Corinthians 1:18-24 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 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.

While taking a prisoner from a correctional facility to be arraigned on robbery charges, the constable noticed a cross around the neck of the prisoner. Knowing the man was not religious, he took a closer look. The prisoner attempted to conceal something protruding from the top of the cross. When questioned, he said it was a good luck charm designed to look like a spoon for sniffing cocaine. But the constable was sure it looked like a handcuff key. By experimentation, he found that the protuberance would indeed open most handcuffs. His discovery led to the exposure of an attempt by prisoners in that correctional facility to make a number of these “cross keys.”

There is a cross that truly sets men free: free from the fear of death, free from guilt for past sin, free from the power of the devil. That cross is the cross of Calvary. Unfortunately, many are more concerned with freedom now for their body than they are about eternal freedom for both body and soul. All people need the cross of Christ, because it alone sets us free.

In the early days of the automobile a man’s Model T Ford stalled in the middle of the road. He couldn’t get it started no matter how hard he cranked or how much he advanced the spark or how much he adjusted things under the hood. It wouldn’t start. A chauffeured limousine pulled up behind the stalled car and a wiry, energetic man stepped out of the back seat and offered his assistance. After tinkering for a few minutes, the stranger said, “Now try it.” Immediately the engine jumped to life. The well-dressed individual then identified himself as Henry Ford. “I designed and built these cars,” he said, “so I know what to do when something goes wrong.”

The one who designed and built you knows what to do for you. He knew exactly what was needed to take care of sin, no matter how simple or foolish it may appear to us. It took the cross. And it was there that God fixed things. Jesus took care of sin once and for all. His sinless life was offered there as your payment for sin, the only payment that would be sufficient to satisfy God’s justice and righteous demands. He has bridged the gap of separation that your sins caused between you and God. The cross is your constant reminder that God now sees you as forgiven, redeemed and restored because of your faith in Christ Jesus.