1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Helpful Background Information:
In our primary text for the week, Mark 8:1-26, there is a scene where the Pharisees question Jesus and ask him for a sign from heaven (v.11). Ironically, this request comes right after Jesus’ miraculous feeding of the largely gentile audience (vv.1-10). One thing is clear—the unbelief of the Pharisees blinded them to the signs that God was clearly displaying through Jesus. In the case of Mark 8, Jesus would not give in to the Pharisees’ pressure for Him to meet their own malformed expectations (v.12).
In the first chapter of Paul’s first letter addressed to the Corinthians, Paul addresses this kind of “sign-seeking” that characterized the Jews in that day (v.22). Many Jews were conditioned to look for a miraculous display of God’s power before they would trust His words. As a result, the humiliating crucifixion of Christ was a stumbling block they could not get themselves beyond (v.23). How could a crucified Christ possibly be the God’s representative they were looking for?
To Paul, the cross of Christ was, in fact, the perfect demonstration of God’s power and wisdom (v.24). Paul also says this is true of all who are called by God. In light of Jesus’ resurrection, the cross truly is the counterintuitive confirmation of God’s power and wisdom.
Reflection Questions:
To many people, Paul says that “the message of the cross” seems like foolishness (v.18). Is this still true? What about “the cross” might seem “foolish” to people today?
Miraculous signs are always meant to point to a reality greater than themselves—namely, to confirm one’s authority and to demonstrate the in-breaking of God’s kingdom. In what ways does Jesus’ crucifixion serve both of those purposes?
Paul says that the cross is the demonstration of God’s power and wisdom (v.24). In your own words, explain how that is the case.
Close your time in prayer, thanking God for the cross and asking Him to give you the courage to share about it with others.