According to Paul, the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who saved it is the power of God. The cross is so much more than just a symbol. It is the way to life.

When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. —1 Corinthians 2:1–2 (NIV)

What does it mean to know nothing except “Jesus Christ and him crucified?”

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. —1 Corinthians 1:17-18 (NIV)

What do you notice in this passage?
What is the “message of the cross?”

For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. —1 Corinthians 1:19–21 (NLT)

Why would God choose the cross?

Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. —1 Corinthians 1:22–25 (NIV)

Paul is basically saying that through the cross God has subverted all of the world’s metrics for strength and wisdom and power. And he did it through the weak, foolishness of the cross. But sadly, many Christians have lost sight of the power of the message of this cross.

“If Christianity is such an inessential add-on, why become a Christian? I am not religious, so it is not my place to dictate to Christians what they should and should not believe. Still, if someone has a faith worth following, I feel like their beliefs should make me feel uncomfortable for not doing so. If they share 90% of my lifestyle and values then there is nothing especially inspiring about them. Instead of making me want to become more like them, it looks like very much as if they want to become more like me.” —Ben Sixsmith - “The Sad Irony of Celebrity Pastors”

What do you think of this quote?

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” —1 Corinthians 1:26–31 (NIV)

What do you notice in this passage?
What is your “take-away” in how we should live today in light of the cross?