The Cross is folly

Since Christianity became a popular religion, the cross has lost its original horror. Nowadays, we see men and women wearing a crucifix as a jewel or a fashion accessory. Some may even wear it as an amulet to ward off evil. The only place we see its horror in action (though a sanitized version) is to watch the spectacle of public crucifixions in the Philippines during Lent on TV.
Crucifixion was a Roman invention to torture/bleed naked prisoners slowly to death. It was not only meant to be painful, but also shameful. Therefore, early Christians encountered difficulties in preaching a crucified Christ. How could you ask people to put their faith in somebody who himself had died shamefully? Nowadays, there is no capital punishment in Hong Kong, not to mention public executions. Nowadays, capital punishment is carried out behind closed doors humanely with the least amount of pain. So, it is impossible to imagine how difficult it is to put your trust in a prisoner on the death row. Paradoxically, Christians invite people to believe in such a person to be their personal Saviour. Of course, not many people could swallow this. It goes contrary to common-sense. It makes believers look like idiots.
How would Paul cope with such an unpromising/unpopular enterprise? To develop a we-they mentality. He classified people into two camps: we are those who are being saved and they are those who are perishing.
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).
And the litmus test is the acceptance of the message of the cross. So, what is the message of the cross?
Jesus embodies the message of the cross. His whole life is a preparation for and a prelude to the crucifixion. He surrenders himself completely to God's will, dies in total obedience. You may not believe in the existence of God. That is not the point. The records kept in the gospel narratives show that Jesus believed in such a Father-God. And this Father-God was the motivation behind this Jesus Movement: his preaching of reform, calling of disciples, charitable work among the poor and needy, conflicts with religious authorities and finally his martyrdom. With or without resurrection, he died a heroic death for his noble cause. What if there were no resurrection?
Resurrection is the foundation stone of Christianity. Without this foundation, Christianity will crumble. But will it? True, resurrection renders sufferings meaningful, and more tolerable. But it seems to me to be a mere icing on the cake of sufferings. Of course, we can invest meaning onto some sufferings. However, there are far too many senseless sufferings. If there were no resurrection, would you still embrace sufferings and death? I would say yes, because death is a certainty and the greatest equalizer. Pope John Paul II died. Mother Teresa died. The worst serial-killer died. Heroic fire-fighters died. Over-dosed drug addicts died. I think it is vanity and a little dose of self-importance that make us carve for people's recognition, remembrance. We want to be remembered after we have left. No. No need. In Chinese, we say 人不知，而不慍，不亦君子乎？ If God allows, I just wish to leave and rest in peace, with no regret. For the time being, probably life has been very good to me. I don't feel the need to be remembered and thus no urge for resurrection.
Before leaving today's reading, let's do a little Greek. Paul quoted two passages. He lifted the whole chuck of text from one, but summarized another passage into 5 words! Here they are.
ἀπολῶ τὴν σοφίαν τῶν σοφῶν καὶ τὴν σύνεσιν τῶν συνετῶν ἀθετήσω.
I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will thwart.
(1 Corinthians 1:19)
καὶ ἀπολῶ τὴν σοφίαν τῶν σοφῶν καὶ τὴν σύνεσιν τῶν συνετῶν κρύψω. (LXX)
and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hid.
(Isaiah 29:14b)
Notice again that the English was translated from the Hebrew Scripture, but the Greek comes from the Septuagint.
ὁ καυχώμενος ἐν κυρίῳ καυχάσθω.
Let him who boasts, boast of the Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:31)
Τάδε λέγει κύριος Μὴ καυχάσθω ὁ σοφὸς ἐν τῇ σοφίᾳ αὐτοῦ, καὶ μὴ καυχάσθω ὁ ἰσχυρὸς ἐν τῇ ἰσχύι αὐτοῦ, καὶ μὴ καυχάσθω ὁ πλούσιος ἐν τῷ πλούτῳ αὐτοῦ,
ἀλλ̓ ἢ ἐν τούτῳ καυχάσθω ὁ καυχώμενος, συνίειν καὶ γινώσκειν ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι κύριος ποιῶν ἔλεος καὶ κρίμα καὶ δικαιοσύνην ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ὅτι ἐν τούτοις τὸ θέλημά μου, λέγει κύριος.
Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches;
but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practice steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth; for in these things I delight, says the LORD." (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

My dear Advocate, without resurrection, we will live in despair. We will lose all motivation to make morally courageous decisions. I pray that the hope in resurrection will continue to help me overcome obstacles in following You. Amen.