"The message of the cross is foolishness . . ."

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Scripture

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. (1 Corinthians 1:18)

Reflection

The notion of a crucified Messiah is foolishness, nonsensical, preposterous! The phrase is an oxymoron. So much so that Paul—then Saul—himself stood by as Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was stoned to death for professing Christ crucified (Acts 7:58). But the power of the cross compelled Paul to renounce his former credentials in Judaism—and they were impressive and many—and to spend the rest of his life proclaiming Christ crucified. Paul knew that power, and yet he could profess: “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection . . .” (Philippians 3:10). The power of God—the power of the resurrection—is revealed most profoundly in its opposite—in the cross. Foolishness?

Prayer

Gracious God, Thank you for revealing your power through the cross and resurrection of your Son, our Lord, the crucified Christ Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen.