It was a coastal city with more than one half a million people living in it. History says that sailors would frequent the city hawking their goods searching for fame and fortune.

When visiting the city they would find prostitutes on the street who would come down from the acroCorinth seeking “customers.”

While touring the ancient ruins several years ago our guide said that these “temple prostitutes” would write on their dusty sandals the words, “follow me.” Those two words would then be “inscribed” on the streets to lead the men up to the mountain.

The Apostle Paul came to Corinth with an altogether different message. His message was focused. It was singular. During his eighteen to twenty month stay he proclaimed the message of salvation.

The heart of his message is written in 1 Corinthians 2:1-2: “And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom…For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”

Nothing but the Cross. That was the heart of everything Paul taught. The centrality of the Cross needs to become a reality in the life of every Christian. We should sing more about the Cross, we should teach more about the Cross, we should think more about the Cross.

When we meet together around the Table as God’s gathered people, the Cross becomes central to our worship. Paul reminded the Corinthians and all of us that when we partake of the Lord’s Supper we are to proclaiming the message of the Cross until Jesus comes (1 Corinthians 11:26).

For a short time in our busy lives we need to block out everything in the world around us that would distract us and focus completely on the Cross. Thinking about the Cross will instill within us a desire to live better lives every day.

Dear Father, help us to focus more on the Cross of our Savior. Help us to know only, “Jesus Christ and him crucified.” Help us dear God, to carry the message of salvation with us always. Help us to center all of our life around Jesus and the Cross.

by Jeff A. Jenkins