1 Corinthians 1:17-19
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
Crucifixion was regarded as the most despicable form of punishment in Roman Times.
Josephus records the crucifixion of a young man by the name of Eleazer, who went from encouraging the Jews to battle, to begging the Jews to yield to the Romans. The idea and act of crucifixion was so horrendous to him, that he transformed from idealist to realist, in a very short order. 1
When Paul was writing this scripture, crucifixion was the method that was only used for the lowest of social standing. 2 It was seen as disgusting. The idea of the cross would be seen as similarly revolting.
However, Jesus transmogrified the understanding and perception of the cross, from an element of lowliness, to a beautiful story that allows us be freed from our sins.
For the average citizen in Roman Times, the idea that the cross is a road to salvation, is on the face, a baffling idea.
Yet for the Christian, the cross is a revelation; the very tool used to stop Christ, was used as a way to defeat death.
A beautiful verse corresponds with this in Isaiah;
Isaiah 54:17
“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.”
As I go about my day and life, I rest. Just like the cross could not prevent Jesus from accomplishing what he needed to – no boundary, stumbling block or desire can prevent me from accomplishing what God is me to perform.