When the Cross Doesn’t Make Sense

What the world dismisses as foolish often carries God’s deepest wisdom, and when the cross doesn’t make sense, it remains the source of true power and life.

“The word of the cross is folly 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 discernment of the discerning I will thwart’” (1 Corinthians 1:18–19).

In the Republic, written about 360 BC, Plato suggested that the ideal ruler was a philosopher-king, speculating that only philosophers could bring happiness for society.

Many would argue that Marcus Aurelius was one of history’s most successful philosopher-kings. Born April 26, 121 AD, he became the sixteenth Roman emperor, ruling from 161–180 AD. A disciple of the Stoic philosophy, Aurelius stressed principles like honesty, integrity, and simplicity. His book Meditations is still widely read.

But at his core, Aurelius was committed to Rome’s traditional religion. To men like him, Christianity was foolish. How could these people worship a man who had been crucified on a cross?

Paul knew that the cross of Christ made no sense to people who are “perishing.” To them, it was “folly.” But being a true disciple means focusing on the cross, no matter how bizarre this may seem to the world. The cross of Christ is the source of power, not just how Jesus died.

The cross symbolizes death to self and our commitment to follow Jesus, no matter what the cost. It opens the door to the riches of God’s wisdom.

Don’t be tempted to follow the wisdom of this world, no matter how plausible and pleasing it sounds. Follow the only path that leads to real wisdom, power, and life—the Gospel—and it comes through the cross.

Reflection Question: Where are you tempted to trust worldly wisdom over God’s truth?