Sabbath: The Message of the Cross
Daily Lesson for Sabbath 4th of July 2026
Image © Pacific Press
Read for This Week’s Study
1 Corinthians 1:17-31, Colossians 1:20, 1 Peter 2:24, Acts 13:16-47, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5.
Memory Text:
“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 Corinthians 1:18, NIV).
C icero, a pagan Roman writer and orator, had told the Roman people to not even think about the cross, so abhorrent was it as a means of death. Although Cicero died about a half century before Jesus was born, his statement illustrates the contempt with which the Romans had held the cross. It was so bad that they should not even think about it.
In contrast, Paul would write: “The message of the cross . . . is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18, NIV). For Paul, the Cross is the instrument of reconciliation between God and man (Ephesians 2:16, Colossians 1:20), the supreme symbol of Jesus’ humility (Philippians 2:8), and the place where our immense debt was paid (Colossians 2:14).
The Cross is Paul’s answer to the problems in Corinth. You don’t have to go very far in 1 Corinthians to realize that he is very concerned about one major issue: divisions in the church. Paul is so perplexed that right after the greetings (1 Corinthians 1:1-3) and the thanksgiving section (1 Corinthians 1:4-9), this is the first topic he addresses (1 Corinthians 1:10-17). This week, we will turn to the powerful message of the Cross as the answer to this problem and to other issues in Corinth.
I challenged our readers a week ago to read both Corinthian epistles right through as though you were reading letters. I have been doing this using “The Message” paraphrase and have found it quite illuminating. This morning I want to share with you the main scripture for this week’s lesson in the hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
This sets the scene for the epistle, and parenthetically for us in both our discussions with one another and our witness to others.
Dear Maurice – I appreciate you sharing with us MSG’s version of 1 Cor.1:17-31. It is easy to read, easy to understand, and easy to share with others to help us draw closer to our God and His Son, Jesus Christ. But two words stand out to me – ‘message’ and ‘foolishness’, which I believe deserve special attention.
Today’s quote includes these two words, informing us that ”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.” ‘Being saved’ implies that the effects of the message/Power of God is ongoing in the life of the believer.
Don’t you also think it to be incredibly important that one fully understand the exact meaning of the words ‘message’ and ‘foolishness’? How can we learn to apply God’s Power and Wisdom if we can not identify what causes man to perish, and, on the other hand, offering the Power of God to save?
For me, as I understand the ‘message of the cross’, it means that we need to lay down our own ‘weapons of ‘warfare’ because they are ‘foolishness’. Instead, we ought to pick up the ‘Sword of the Spirit’ as we fight against the forces of evil. We trust the Truth revealed in/by God’s Word [our Scriptures and experienced by our living Savior Jesus Christ], and apply it by faith in our daily life. Matt.5:3-12 MSG and Eph.6:1-20 MSG.
Would you be willing to elaborate on what this ‘message of the cross means to you?
While most people agree that our world is broken, they do not agree on how it should be fixed. This is why the idea of a crucified Messiah was considered foolishness by many. The Jews expected a Messiah who would come in power to overthrow their oppressors, especially the Gentiles who had colonized and ruled over them. Instead, they were presented with a Messiah who was crucified—a death associated with shame and defeat. Because He did not meet their expectations, many rejected the cross. To the non-Jews, particularly the Romans, the message of the cross also seemed foolish. Rome represented power, military might, and conquest. They revered gods associated with strength and war. To proclaim the gospel of a man from a nation they had conquered, whose supposed King they had crucified, appeared absurd. Yet, as 1 Corinthians 1:18 declares, “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.”The cross remains God’s answer to humanity’s greatest problem. Through Jesus Christ, forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and the gift of eternal life are available to all who repent, place their faith in Him, and receive His saving grace. As 2:8–9 reminds us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
The paradox of the cross lies the wisdom of God to save mankind, bring reconciliation between God and man, and ultimately bring glory to God. Only God the Almighty can turn an instrument of shame, death and cruelty into a symbol of victory and joy.
Please share with me one of my favourite SDA Hymns.
159 – The Old Rugged Cross
1
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame; and I love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it some day for a crown.
2
O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
has a wondrous attraction for me; for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above to bear it to dark Calvary.
3
To that old rugged cross I will ever be true, its shame and reproach gladly bear; then he’ll call me some day to my home far away, where his glory forever I’ll share.
What’s today’s worst type of provoked judgelly death? Lethal injection? Gas chamber? Nothing is as humiliating as death on a cross back in the Roman Empire. Jesus went through our worst kind of death to give us His best: eternal and joyful life! Is it possible to pay Him back? No. Only to accept His gift!
In this lesson we learn that the first issue Paul addressed with the Corinthians is the division in the church?
I am interested in what this division may look like in Adventist churches around the world, and the root of these divisions in this culturally diverse Adventist churches worldwide and how the message of ‘looking to the cross’ can be applied in each context.
Thank you.
One of the big issues in Church circles is that we tend to amplify differences and in doing so they become divisions. I grew up with the controversies on the nature of Christ and I look back on the controversy now and wonder why we made such a big issue about it. We like to brand “the other side” as heretical because we disagree with them. Once we have branded them we tend to see everything they do and say with that brand on it.
Unity does require a level of tolerence and understanding. My father wrote me a letter before I married Carmel. He said, “Don’t try to change Carmel! Try to understand her.” Fifty-eight years later, I still have to remember that advice and apply it.
Unity in the church does not mean that everyone has to think like me.
TRUTH the big unifier.
It is indeed. But what is the “Truth” that unifies? And why are we often arguing over what some of us regard as truth?
The Truth that unifies is:
believing to have been created by our benevolent Creator who gave us His Son Jesus the Christ to teach us about who our heavenly Father is and how to ‘worship’ Him in Spirit and Truth.
Developing a personal relationship with Him by faith is needed for this Truth to be revealed to the believer by the Holy Spirit.
Everything engaged in which goes beyond this is superfluous.
Maurice if that is not what God sees as division, in the sense Paul was referring to, then what is?
My interest is not arguing the definition of division, and what it looks like to you but rather according to the issue Paul was addressing – what that looks like in our culturally diverse Adventist church context around the world.
When we read the rest of Corinthians we find that they were divided by:
1) Cliques of followers. People were following leaders rather than Jesus
2) Food and religious observance. The issue of what food to eat and which religous ceremonies to follow.
3) Heresy. Some folk had developed their own explanations about how salvation works.
I don’t think one needs to be a prophet to see those same or similar issues at work in keeping us divided today.
Nice words but I have observed if one does not think like the elders/pastor of the church any expression of that thought or idea quickly devolves to anger, shouting, doxing and actual disfellowship of entire families. One quickly learns to shut up and go along to get along!
The description of what Christ went through for us is enough for us who have chosen to fear (reverence) the Lord. We take in the knowledge of the Cross, avoiding being foolish. Proverbs 1:7, 32-33. Our choice finds us filled with love for Christ, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19. Love for Christ leads us to do our Fathers will. Philippians 2:13.
Professor Adenilton, suggested this song written and sung by Shelly E. Johnson.
That’s the Power Of the Cross.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyD_49kb2PU
The cross is indeed powerful . We thank God for sending His son Jesus to die for us on the cross.
Hi.
Iam fairly new here and i feel blessed with the insights that are shared here.I would like to understand the message that is presented by the image we have been given this week.thank you.
Hello Esther, welcome to Sabbath School Net. We are delighted that you have joined our online, virtual Sabbath School classroom.
I believe that you are referring to the artwork for this week’s lesson on the lesson for Sabbath, July 4.
The image is of one of Christ’s followers looking at Jesus on the cross and wondering, why did it have to turn out the way it did.