The Foolishness of the Cross

The Foolishness of the Cross

Prologue

On the edge of a small, bustling town stood a humble man named Elias, a devout believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and a firm adherent of the King James Bible. He had been saved many years ago, plucked from a life of sin and vanity by the grace of God. Ever since, he devoted himself to preaching the Gospel, fulfilling the Great Commission as commanded by Christ.

Every day, Elias would go out to the town square, Bible in hand, standing near the market where people from all walks of life gathered. He would call out with a voice filled with urgency and love, quoting the Scriptures:

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

Most of the townsfolk would pass by, their eyes fixed on their tasks, ignoring him completely. Some would glance at him with pity, others with scorn. Yet a few, driven by curiosity or the need to mock, would linger to listen.

One such man was Horace, the son of a well-respected merchant. Horace prided himself on his reputation in the town. He was known as a charitable and amiable man, though his charity was often more about public acclaim than genuine compassion. Horace had little concern for matters of eternity; his focus was on maintaining his image and ensuring his name was remembered well in the church records.

One morning, as Elias preached on the corner, Horace approached with a smirk.

"Elias," he said, "you waste your time. Do you really think shouting about sin and salvation will change anything? People want to live their lives, not dwell on such dreary topics. Besides, who needs heaven or hell when one can build a good name here on earth?"

Elias opened his Bible, his eyes steady. "Horace, the Scriptures declare, For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Matthew 16:26) "Reputation and riches will perish, but the soul lives on forever."

Horace laughed, though uneasily. "You sound like a fool, Elias. Always talking about things no one can see. Why not enjoy life instead of making yourself a spectacle?"

Elias replied, "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18) "You call me a fool, Horace, but I speak of eternal truth. What will your reputation matter when you stand before God?"

But Horace waved him off and walked away, muttering to himself about wasted words. Yet deep inside, he felt a pang of discomfort he couldn’t explain.

The Socializing Crowd

As the days passed, Elias continued his mission, and others began to misinterpret his intentions entirely. They thought his preaching was an attempt to invite them to socialize, rather than a warning about their eternal destiny. Some would approach him with smiles, thinking he wanted to make friends or join their gatherings, completely missing the gravity of his message.

One woman named Clara, known for her love of social gatherings, approached Elias with a group of friends. "Elias," she said, her tone patronizing, "you should join us at the feast tomorrow. You’re always so serious; it would do you good to relax and enjoy life. Surely that’s what you’re trying to say, right? That we should all come together and enjoy each other’s company?"

Elias replied, "I am not here to feast and socialize, but to preach the Gospel. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Clara laughed. "Oh, Elias, you’re such a bore! Surely God wouldn’t begrudge us a little fun."

Her friends joined in the laughter, and Elias sighed. He knew they were blind to the truth. "But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." (Matthew 24:37) "You feast and laugh, but judgment is coming."

His words fell on deaf ears, dismissed as the ramblings of a fanatic.

The Great Tribulation Begins

One day, as Elias preached in the square, the sky darkened unexpectedly. A strange stillness fell over the town. People stopped in their tracks, looking up with unease. A sudden earthquake shook the ground, sending goods and market stalls crashing. Fear gripped the hearts of the townsfolk.

Elias stood firm, his voice rising above the chaos. "This is but the beginning! For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." (Matthew 24:21)

Horace, trembling, approached Elias, his once-proud demeanor shattered. "Elias, what is happening? Is this what you spoke of?"

Elias looked at him with sorrow. "And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb." (Revelation 6:15-16)

Tears filled Horace's eyes, but he remained silent, his heart hardened. Though shaken by the events, he could not bring himself to believe Elias' words. He turned and walked away, still clinging to his pride and worldly concerns, even as the town descended into chaos.

As the tribulation unfolded, many realized too late the truth of Elias’ words. The town was plunged into chaos, and the laughter and mocking ceased. But for Elias, though surrounded by turmoil, there was peace, for he knew his Savior and trusted in the promises of God.