May the mumbling commence!
You have probably heard the saying, “I have the best of both worlds.” What if I were to turn that phrase on its head? “I have the worst of both worlds.” Sometimes, I think that way when I read this passage from First Corinthians chapter one:
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. For it is written:
"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.
Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." (Verses 18-31)
The cross of Christ is a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. Have you ever wondered where you would fit better in this equation – regardless of where you fall by heredity? Let’s think about that.
Why was the cross of stumbling block for the Jews? It was considered by the Jews that being hung on a tree to die was a great curse of God. So the Jews stumble over the cross because of this curse. They also wondered why the Messiah would suffer and die such a death.
I could find myself here. Haven’t you ever wondered about the ability of suffering to save? If suffering is looked upon as the road to salvation, suffering can be abused in ways not intended by God. Yeah, I can see how I can stumble upon the suffering of the cross. I know why with my mind, but I cannot quite get it wrapped around my heart.
What about the other world of thought? Gentiles thought the cross was foolishness. Why? It does not seem wise to offer your life as a sacrifice to establish a new ruling order. Gentiles only understood force. It was the only thing that has proven to establish order. How often have I got caught up in the scientific method? What can be proved and replicated? How do the miracles of God respond under the microscope of modern day science?
I could also find myself identifying with this world of thought. The cross of Christ looks like foolishness – from a human point of view. But the human point of view is badly distorted. The human point of view is myopic – near-sighted and self-centered. God’s wisdom in the cross puts human wisdom on its head. There is no self-sufficiency. There is no room for boasting.
So, let’s dust ourselves off from our stumble and embrace the foolishness of God. There is no greater wisdom in all of Creation!
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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