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 dilemna 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.