of the Lord's passion. On other days too, of course, it is never absent either from
SERMON 218B
ON THE LORD'S PASSION
Date: 3971
Christ crucified is to unbelievers a scandal and a folly, but to us the power of God and the wisdom of God
1. Today we are solemnly celebrating the great and inexpressible mystery2 of the Lord's passion. On other days too, of course, it is never absent either from the altar at which we assist, or from our lips and foreheads;3 so that what our bodily senses constantly remind us of may always be kept in our hearts. This annual solemnity, though, leads the mind much more impressively to the re¬ membrance of Such a great matter; so that something committed so many years ago in one place by the godless wickedness of the Jews, and observed by their cruel eyes, is now presented throughout the whole world to the gaze of faith as though it were happening today. If they were then only too pleased to look at what they did so cruelly, how much more pleased should we be to call to mind and live over again in memory what we so lovingly believe? If they could behold with pleasure the effect of their wickedness, how much more should we remem¬ ber with joy the cause of our salvation?
That one single event, indeed, was the mark of the misdeeds they were presently committing, but the destruction of the ones we would commit in the future. Finally, while we are horrified by their crimes being committed there, we are delighted at our crimes being remitted there. They were perpetrating a great impiety, we are celebrating a great solemnity; they swarmed together in savage violence, we in loving obedience; they were lost, we have been found; they were sold,4 we have been redeemed; they looked on insultingly, we adore reverently.
That is why Christ crucified is to unbelievers a scandal and a folly, but to us the power of God and the wisdom of God; this, you see, is that weakness of God which is stronger than human strength, and that folly of God which is wiser than human wisdom.5 The events that followed have taught this lesson more clearly than ever. What, I mean, did the rabid hatred of his enemies have in mind at that time, but to erase all memory of him from the earth? He, though, while crucified by one people, has been inscribed in the hearts of so many peoples; slain then