Christ crucified is shorthand for the gospel of Christ which also includes His resurrection from the dead (1 Cor. 15:1-4). This message divides the human race into two groups – those who believe it and those who don’t. Paul wrote, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Cor. 1:18) The message of Christ crucified is a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. The Jews could not accept that their Messiah would be crucified for He was to conquer their enemies. To the Greeks crucifixion was such a humiliating death that to preach Christ’s crucifixion as a means of salvation was foolish. Therefore, man in his own wisdom would never come to know God for he could never through human wisdom accept Christ crucified.
However, God in His wisdom was pleased to save people who believe the message considered foolishness by the world. It is God’s call that changes the minds of people so that they accept the message of Christ crucified. Paul wrote, “but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (1 Cor. 1:24)
Our message to the world must be Christ crucified! And it is the message in which we find our unity with one another!