It was so shameful that it was not spoken about by people. Crucifixion was a violent and shameful death. We have sanitized the cross and have stripped away so much of what made crucifixion what it was. It is easy for us to miss the ironic, upside down nature of this declaration because we are used to hearing about the cross. (Galatians 6:11–14 ESV) Boast Only in the Cross But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. For our study today, I want us to turn to Galatians 6 and consider what the apostle Paul proclaims. So our year will be saturated with a study of Jesus and his death on the cross. We will also return to the book of Hebrews which is a sermon of encouragement which speaks to the greater things we have in Jesus because of his death on the cross. Now each month we are going to look at scriptures that speak about the significance of the cross. We have spent the first quarter of this year considering the cross of Jesus as we have looked at the final chapters of Jesus’ life as recorded in Mark’s gospel. As is on our banner and in our advertising materials, the specific theme is Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross, which comes from a beautiful song in our songbooks. This year our theme that we will consider is the cross of Jesus.