How is it possible that a Jewish teacher rejected by his own people, abandoned by his closest followers, condemned by the leading religious authorities and brutally executed by crucifixion at the hands of the Roman Empire could truly be the answer to all human suffering and sin? In his letter to a band of early followers of Jesus in the Greek city of Corinth, Paul put it this way: “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

            His teaching and claims about himself were bold and daring. They opened up the future for his hearers. His words pointed to a better world and a new reality rooted in God’s kingdom as revealed by Jesus. Let us remember some of his earlier words in John’s gospel:

·         “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”²

·         “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”³

·         “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”⁴

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