“For 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)
At first, the gospel can sound strange to people. It says that God saved the world through Jesus dying on a cross. To many, that does not look like strength. It looks like defeat. It does not sound like the kind of victory people expect. But that is exactly Paul’s point: God’s way of saving people does not always match the way humans think power should look.
Why It Seems Foolish to Those Who Reject It
· It goes against human pride: People like to believe they can fix themselves, earn their way to God, or prove they are good enough. The gospel says we cannot save ourselves; we need grace.
· It looks weak on the surface: A king dying like a criminal does not look powerful to the natural eye. Many people expect God to show power through force, success, fame, or control, not through suffering and sacrifice.
· It asks people to surrender: The gospel calls us to turn from sin, admit our need, and follow Jesus. That can feel foolish to a world that says, “Do whatever makes you happy.”
· It cannot be received by pride alone: Human wisdom can study facts, argue ideas, and chase success, but it cannot make a hard heart trust God. The gospel is understood by faith, not just by intellect.
Why Believers See It as the Power of God
· The cross shows God’s love: Jesus did not die because He was helpless. He gave Himself willingly to save sinners.
· The cross brings forgiveness: What people could never earn, God freely gives through Christ: mercy, cleansing, and a new start.
· The cross changes lives: Believers do not just admire the message; they experience its power. It brings peace with God, hope in suffering, and strength to live differently.
· The cross reveals God’s wisdom: What looked like defeat became the way God defeated sin and opened the door to eternal life.
So when Paul says the message of the cross is “foolishness” to those who are perishing, he does not mean the gospel is actually foolish. He means that people who are spiritually blind cannot see its beauty or power. To them, it sounds too simple, too humble, or too hard to accept. But to those who believe, the cross is everything. It is where God’s justice and mercy meet. It is where sin is dealt with, love is displayed, and salvation is offered. The world may laugh at the cross, but believers cling to it because through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we find life.
Minister A Francine Green I July 2026