The Folly of The Cross

I. The Folly of the Cross

1 Corinthians 1:17–18 NASB95

17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void. 18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

A. He doesn’t church it up.

The cross is an extra-ordinary means for execution. It is the most promising execution to rectify the acts of criminals as well as offer a deterrent to the bystanders that if you follow the paths of these criminals you will reach the same fate. In other words, to mimic the life of the crucified would lead you to be crucified yourself.

So what does Paul do? He preaches Christ and Him crucified.

1 Corinthians 1:23–24 NASB95

23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

B. He doesn’t empty it out.

Paul doesn’t empty the Cross of its foolishness by spinning a more clever narrative. Nor does he erase how others perceive the cross. He lets the cross of Christ be exactly what it is. He doesn’t soften the blow, or domesticate its beastly act. He lets the Cross ride as it is and as it is known.

To the Greeks Gods cannot die and were immortal, so Jesus dying means he is no god. To the gentiles, the cross is a most vicious death of those most deserving criminals. So Jesus is the vilest of offenders. To the Jews, it is a curse. The detestable and the despised. So Jesus is a curse not Christ.

By not emptying the cross of its message, Paul is revealing the power and strength of God who is mighty to save!

1 Corinthians 1:24–25 NASB95

24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

So what does all this mean? I think Paul captures it all in verse 18,

1 Corinthians 1:18 NASB95

18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

So as you reflect upon the Cross of Christ do not let it be made void in your life. Let it’s brutality and cruelty weight on you so that you might fully embrace the Wisdom and Power of God who is mighty to save!

A Good Friday

God and King Jesus claimed to be

So the leaders of men hung Him on a tree

Their hate for Him was not alone

There was also Satan who coveted His throne.

When He breathed his last and was laid in the tomb.

Satan thought he had won and escaped his doom.

While he celebrated in victorious style

There was a sound that he hadn’t heard in a while.

From cheering to silence he paused to lend his ear

and heard a knock on the door and a voice very clear

“Open up you ancient doors and let the King of Glory come in

I am strong and mighty and the battle did I win

I have come to set the captives free

and preach to the dead my Victory”

For Sin and Satan have been overcome

By the wisdom of God that the world thought dumb

What was designed for evil God used for good

and worked salvation on a piece of wood.

So don’t empty the cross or lighten its load

but bear its weight so that you can fully know

The Love of God shown in an unusual way

a cross, in death, on a Good Friday.