The Transforming Power of Christ's Victory

by St. John Chrysostom

 

He (Christ) drew the world to Himself through His Cross. If the Cross seems to be a subject of scandal, still not only does it not scandalise, but it draws to itself. St Paul had all these things in mind and was struck with astonishment when he said that "the foolishness of God is wiser than man, and the weakness of God is stronger than man".

 

While many great philosophers came before Christ, like Plato, Aristotle, etc., to convince the world that men lived beyond the grave, they were in short, hardly able to convince anyone, yet it was through unlearned men that the Cross brought conviction, and drew the world to itself. It spoke to men, not of chance things, but of God, and of piety in the truth, of the Gospel, of future judgment, and it made uncouth and unlearned men philosophers.

 

This is how the folly of God is wiser than man, and His weakness stronger. How is it stronger? It is stronger in that it spread over the whole Earth and seized all men by force, and whereas thousands and thousands did their utmost to stamp out the name of the Crucified One, just the contrary came to pass. For this name took root and was propagated all the more, whereas they were destroyed and consumed, and living men fighting a dead One, gain not a stroke. Consequently, when a (heathen) nonbeliever tells me that I am a fool, he proves that he himself is doubly one; inasmuch as considered by him to be a fool, I appear wiser than the wise; and when he calls me weak, he shows himself to be weaker. For publicans and fishermen set up those very things by the goodness of God which philosophers, and orators, and despots, and the whole world vainly striving with all its might could not even devise.

 

What, indeed, has the Cross not introduced? The belief concerning the immorality of the soul, and the resurrection of the body, the despising of the present things, the desire of eternal. And it made angels out of men.