The message of the cross is . . . the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18
Zhang was raised with, in his words, “no God, no religion, nothing.” In 1989, seeking democracy and freedom for his people, he helped lead students in peaceful protests. But the protests tragically led to the government’s intervention and hundreds of lives lost. For his part in the event, Zhang was placed on his country’s most-wanted list. After a short imprisonment, he fled to an outlying village where he met an elderly farmer who introduced him to Christianity. She had only a handwritten copy of the gospel of John but couldn’t read, so she asked Zhang to read it to her. As he did, she explained it to him—and a year later he became a believer in Jesus.
Through all he endured, Zhang sees that God was powerfully leading him to the cross, where he experienced firsthand what the apostle Paul states in 1 Corinthians, “The message of the cross is . . . the power of God” (1:18). What many considered foolishness, a weakness, became Zhang’s strength. For some of us, this too was our thinking before we came to Christ. But through the Spirit, we felt the power and wisdom of God breaking into our lives and leading us to Christ. Today Zhang serves as a pastor spreading the truth of the cross to all who will hear.
Jesus has the power to change even the hardest of hearts. Who needs His powerful touch today?
Read: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 (NIV)
Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom
18 For the message of the cross is foolishnessh to those who are perishing,i
but to us who are being savedj it is the power of God.k
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”c l
20 Where is the wise person?m Where is the teacher of the law?
Where is the philosopher of this age?n
Has not God made foolisho the wisdom of the world?
21 For since in the wisdom of God the worldp through its wisdom did not know him,
God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to saveq those who believe.r
22 Jews demand signss and Greeks look for wisdom,
23 but we preach Christ crucified:t a stumbling blocku to Jews and foolishnessv to Gentiles,
24 but to those whom God has called,w both Jews and Greeks,
Christ the power of Godx and the wisdom of God.y
25 For the foolishnessz of God is wiser than human wisdom,
and the weaknessa of God is stronger than human strength.
INSIGHT
- How did you view the message of the cross before you received Christ as your Savior?
- Who might benefit from hearing your story?
It’s believed that crucifixion originated in the sixth century bc and was in use as a punishment and crime deterrent until Constantine of Rome outlawed it in the fourth century ad. In Paul’s day, crucifixion was considered the very worst means of Roman execution, so repugnant that it wasn’t mentioned in polite company. Therefore, the idea that the Messiah died on a cross was offensive or ridiculous to most. However, Paul divided the world into two groups: those who consider the cross “foolishness” and those who view it as the “power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). What is “the message of the cross”? Jesus, an innocent man, willingly suffered crucifixion for crimes He didn’t commit to pay the price for our sins—and then rose again. All who turn to Him in sorrow for their wrongdoings will live eternally with Him. That’s the “power of God”!
PRAYER
Jesus, thank You for leading me to You through the cross. I would be lost without You! In Your name, I pray. Amen!!
Read: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Job 1-2 ; Acts 7:22-43
