Paradox of the Cross

St. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:18-25,
"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. For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the learning of the learned I will set aside." Where is the wise one? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made the wisdom of the world foolish? For since in the wisdom of God the world did not come to know God through wisdom, it was the will of God through foolishness of the proclamation to save those who have faith. For Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength."

As humans, we are on a constant quest for the true meaning of life. As Christians, we accept the cross, and this faith in Christ gives our lives meaning. The paradox of the cross holds true for all generations. Yet in every age, people search new faucets of life, looking for the path to God. There has always been a debate as to how one should arrive at truth - rationally or empirically? The cross cannot be explained fully by either approach, and that is where the human dilemma begins. We refuse to live on faith alone.

Paul forces this paradox to the extreme to show that God's ways are not human ways. This paradox not only shows us what the cross means to Paul, but it calls us to reflect upon what the cross means to us. This is a challenge to all Christians. Believers must detach themselves from humanity and come to know that God has different standards; His righteousness comes through faith.

At the base of Paul's message is the human inability to accept a Messiah that does not fulfill human expectation. In Paul's time, a majority of the Jews rejected Jesus as the Messiah in part because many expected the Messiah to drive the Romans from Palestine; but above all, because Jesus was executed by the Romans and this was seen as a weakness and a disqualification to many. Also, according to the law of Moses (Deut. 21-23), a crucified person was considered to be under God's curse. The Greeks, on the other hand, were in search of wisdom and might see Jesus as a wise teacher unjustly put to death (like Socrates).

The wise, the wealthy and the powerful are usually the people who effect change in society. One would have expected God to choose an influential member of society such as those aforementioned. So that His power would be recognized, God has repeatedly chosen the foolish, the weak , the lowly and despised to carry out His mission here on earth. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 also emphasizes that faith in Christ is necessary, for human wisdom alone cannot explain the powers of God.

Through the crucifixion, God is actively carrying out His plan for the good of all humanity. The cross demonstrates the power and wisdom of God. Since Jesus Himself was not passive, but was willing to do the will of the Father, He Himself is the power and wisdom of God. Jesus is the presentation of the divine intention for humanity. Jesus does not reflect what humanity is, but what it can become. Though the cross, we are able to receive salvation. The "wisdom of Christ" alone allows us to understand fully the gifts of God. Through faith, we are sanctified and redeemed. If we come to understand the cross, we are no longer "of this world" and no longer must live by its standards. Through the act of Jesus, we are capable of becoming what God intended us to be; furthermore, we realize all we have and all we are is truly a gift from God.

As Christians we must have faith, that will be our ultimate path to salvation. The cross means different things to many people, but it is salvation for all. The cross is still a stumbling block for many today; we constantly question that which we find to be ineffable, many times relying on human wisdom for answers. We must always rely on our faith, especially in times of darkness and doubt. For, as Paul says: "The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength." (1 Cor 1:25)