The Cross of Christ, foolishness or saving power? Reflections on 1 Corinthians 1:18 with a story from Poland and the transforming power of the Cross.

SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV)
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.

STORY as shared by Chuck Colson:
The government of Polish Prime Minister Jaruzelski had ordered crucifixes removed from classroom walls, just as they had been banned in factories, hospitals, and other public institutions. Catholic bishops attacked the ban that had stirred waves of anger and resentment all across Poland. Ultimately the government relented, insisting that the law remain on the books, but agreeing not to press for removal of the crucifixes, particularly in the schoolrooms.

But one zealous Communist school administrator in Garwolin decided that the law was the law. So one evening he had seven large crucifixes removed from lecture halls where they had hung since the school's founding in the twenties. Days later, a group of parents entered the school and hung more crosses. The administrator promptly had these taken down as well.

The next day two-thirds of the school's six hundred students staged a sit-in. When heavily armed riot police arrived, the students were forced into the streets. Then they marched, crucifixes held high, to a nearby church where they were joined by twenty-five hundred other students from nearby schools for a morning of prayer in support of the protest. Soldiers surrounded the church. But the pictures from inside of students holding crosses high above their heads flashed around the world. So did the words of the priest who delivered the message to the weeping congregation that morning. "There is no Poland without a cross."

OBSERVATION:
The Cross of Christ makes absolutely no sense … whatsoever. How does a symbol of murder become the reality of salvation? From a killing of an innocent man to atonement for all human kind – that is a quantum leap. No one can explain it. No one can … but the reality of the Cross is what it is. While it does not make sense it still is the means of salvation. To those who do not understand it, it is foolishness. To those who have been touched by its reality, it is the power of God.

The Polish priest was right. There is no Poland or America or Latin America or Africa or Asia … there is nothing without the cross. It defines us. It makes possible the rest of life. It brings into reality all of life. It is a means of mercy and the fulfillment of grace. As scripture states, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)

To those who do not believe, there is nothing that can be said to convince them. To those who do believe there is nothing that can be said to unconvinced them. It is the power and the uniqueness of the cross. To those who do not understand it is foolishness and folly. To those who do understand it is the power of God. There is nothing without the cross.

Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adore his sacred name.

Come, Christians, follow this triumphant sign.
The hosts of God in unity combine.

Each newborn servant of the Crucified bears
bears on the brow the seal of him who died.

O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree,
as thou has promised, draw the world to thee.

So shall our song of triumph ever be:
Praise to the Crucified for victory!

Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adore his sacred name.

PRAYER:
Thank you for the gift of the Cross, Eternal God. Thank you for the salvation and atonement which it brought. Help us today to lift it high. Amen