The apostles knew that the symbolism of the cross had a negative connotation for humanity. However, they were clear that this was the key to God’s kingdom investment. In it lay the secret of God’s power, although for many it would seem foolish.

In the case of practicing Jews, the apostle Paul says, “For the Jews demand signs” (1 Corinthians 1:22a)… because throughout their history they have always been very attentive to signs. Every important moment in their nation was marked by such experiences where they were impacted by supernatural signs, so they were accustomed to them that when they did not have them, they asked for them. The problem with this was that in asking for signs, they expected a type of sign proposed by themselves, pretending that God should do things as they expected and not otherwise.

Regarding the Greeks, whether Jews or Gentiles, Paul says, “…and Greeks seek wisdom…” (1 Corinthians 1:22b). These are those who influenced the world in the realm of reason, in the need to discover the path to follow considering all human knowledge. They sought to clarify logical ideas for human action.

However, when Paul speaks of those born anew, he says, “…but we preach Christ crucified…” (1 Corinthians 1:23). It’s not that the Christian should disagree with signs, because otherwise, they would have to discard prophecies. Nor would they disagree with having wisdom, because then they would have to discard the entire Bible. What they should disagree with is when signs and wisdom become what marks the priority or foundation in spiritual life. Thus, the ideal of total surrender, symbolized by the crucifixion, is the main hallmark of the Messianic ideology.

If we go back a little in time, when Jesus announced the moment of his glorification, he explained how it would be: “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” (John 12:23–28). With this, he was saying that to be glorified, even though He was God with us, he first had to completely invest His life in that mission of love to rescue humanity. In the same way, everyone who wanted to serve him had to understand that they would have to follow the same process: “The self-giving to the cause of the gospel” (Matthew 16:24).

It is known that it is not easy; Jesus himself felt “troubled” at the moment of total surrender. Similarly, in certain situations, his followers will feel that their lives are completely lost. Many will say amid tears, “Father, save me from this hour,” but it is at that moment that the follower of Jesus must know that they were prepared by God for this, to stand in the place where He has put them as a genuine representative of His kingdom.

Every servant of God must understand that the more they remain in that gap, the more they will do and resemble their Lord.

Author: Dr. Liber Aguiar.