There were those in Paul’s day, and some still today, who think that the message of the cross is foolishness. They have different reasons for thinking it foolish, but the end result is the same: they will perish. In the New Testament times, people were all too aware that crucifixion was not a pretty thing. It was the supreme form of punishment. The victims were ridiculed and tortured in numerous ways, and died a slow and painful death. How could anyone receive comfort and joy from that kind of an event? It just didn’t make sense.

To the Greek mind it was just foolish. They didn’t have Old Testament prophecies to guide and show them that this must take place. But to the Jewish people, it was more than just foolish: it is also called a stumbling block. This term is used many times throughout the Bible, and it has a deeper meaning than one might think. You might think of a stumbling block as being something like the toy left in the middle of the floor that you trip over late at night. This is the primary meaning of the term, something that causes you to stumble. But even more than that, a stumbling block was as an obstacle to faith. Perhaps you could think of it as the ironing board that blocks your normal pathway through a room. From the Old Testament Law, the Jews knew that anyone who hung on a tree, or a cross, was cursed. How could the one who was supposed to be God and Savior be cursed? This didn’t make sense to them, so the Gospel message was a stumbling block to the Jewish people in addition to being considered foolish.

Also, the Jews were wrapped up in the need for obedience in themselves. They thought they must live according to all the laws that they had developed if they were to ever have a chance of being saved. The cross was a further stumbling block in that they tried to substitute their own suffering and sacrifice for the cross. They took comfort in things like their circumcision and obedience, placing the emphasis on their own deeds. If they could save themselves by their actions, what need did they have of the cross of Christ?

What can you do to make the Gospel message “unfoolish” to those around you? What can you do to eliminate the obstacles that keep others from understanding who Jesus Christ is? First of all, be sure you understand what the message of the cross means. Man, in his foolishness, abandoned God. This meant nothing but eternal death lay ahead. Our sinful condition deserves punishment. But God still loved man, and in His power and wisdom sent Jesus Christ, True God and True Man, into the world to pay the price for sin. After living a perfect life, He took the sins of all men, including everyone of you, upon Himself. With those sins, He went to the cross, and paid the price for sin, once and for all. The Scriptures plainly tell us that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself. You are assured that trust in Jesus is all you need to inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

Understanding this for yourselves, you must live like you know it. God has given you, free of charge, the most precious gift available: forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. That merits a response! Does your life reflect your gratitude to God? I’m not talking here about church attendance or contributions to the church, although those are important reflections of your understanding of this message. I’m speaking of your day to day life. Do you live each day God gives you as though you know the message of the cross? Do you respond by taking time to study God’s Word and learning more about Him, or do you ignore this gift? When people observe your life, would they be able to tell that you have faith that Jesus died to pay for your sins, or would you be no different than those who regard the message of the cross as foolishness? If you truly understand and believe that the Gospel message is not foolishness, but the power of God for salvation, then your life should show it.

We will continue our thoughts on this tomorrow.