condemned as a criminal and subjected to the most painful and shameful death the Romans could devise. But, Paul realized, that’s it! As Hamlet said, “The play’s the thing wherein I’ll catch the †conscience of the King,”9 so Paul concludes: “It’s the paradox that will win souls for the King!” The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. But for those who are being saved, it reveals a God of love who thrusts himself into humans’ deepest fears, suffering, and death and leads them