1 Corinthians 1: 18

 - Popular Bible Series 

For 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. - 1 Corinthians 1:18

No other major religion has chosen a symbol tied to its founder’s death, so why did Christianity adopt the cross, a symbol of Christ’s crucifixion, as its emblem? Today, many non-Christians wear crosses as mere decoration, but in ancient times, the cross represented shame, cruelty, and death—a surprising choice for Christianity’s central symbol.

Early Christians did not immediately adopt the cross. Around 200 AD, they used biblical imagery like Noah’s Ark or Lazarus’ resurrection to express their faith. Later, when choosing a symbol tied to Jesus, options abounded: His birth, preaching in Galilee, washing the disciples’ feet, or the dove symbolizing the Holy Spirit. Yet, Christians bypassed symbols of Jesus’ life, teachings, service, or resurrection, choosing instead the cross, a symbol of His death.

Paul highlights the cross’s unpopularity in 1 Corinthians 1:18, 23: “For 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… We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles.” To the world, the cross signified death, crime, and shame—the Roman Empire’s most brutal execution method, reserved for the worst offenders. Even Roman citizens were spared crucifixion due to its cruelty.

For Jews, the cross was equally abhorrent. Deuteronomy 21:23 states, “Anyone hung on a tree is cursed by God.” They could not accept a Messiah cursed by crucifixion, as it contradicted their expectations of a triumphant savior. Despite this, Christians embraced the cross. Why? The cross lies at the heart of Christian faith, symbolizing not defeat but victory.

Paul explains in Galatians 6:14: “.But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” While unbelievers see the cross as failure, Christians see it as glory. On the cross, Jesus’ blood washed away the world’s sins, and Satan’s power was defeated (Genesis 3:15: “The seed of the woman shall bruise your head”). Jesus’ incarnation culminated in His death, as He declared, “It is finished” (John 19:30).

In Mark 8:29–31, Jesus asks, “Who do you say I am?” Peter answers, “You are the Messiah.” Jesus then forbids them to spread this, teaching that “the Son of Man must suffer, be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and after three days rise again.” Jesus concealed His Messianic identity to avoid Jewish expectations of a political revolutionary. His mission was to suffer and die on the cross, not to overthrow Roman rule.

Paul, as a Jew, understood this. In Galatians 3:13, he writes, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’” Quoting Deuteronomy, Paul emphasizes that Jesus bore the curse to redeem humanity’s sins. This is why the day of Christ’s crucifixion is called Good Friday and Holy Friday—a day of salvation gained through God’s power for believers, though unbelievers face perishing. That is the essence of Good Friday.