1 Corinthians 1: 18-25
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 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.
A Thought
Most Jews expected Christ to be a powerful conquering king who would restore David’s throne; not one to be executed as a criminal. To the Greeks, who did not believe in the resurrection, death was defeat. The world teaches us that we should be an educated scholar, work hard, gain power through riches and to do good things. Scripture teaches us that a wise man wins souls for Christ; but this is foolishness to the world. True wisdom comes from kinowing God. How do we know God? By believing and accepting the simple gift of salvation that was made possible by the life, death and resurrection of God’s son, Jesus Christ.
Our Prayer
Father forgive us for thinking that we are wise; that our ways are better than your way. Give us a boldness to tell others of our crucified, resurrected Savior–Jesus Christ–the only hope of the world. Today, we stake everything on the promise of the Word of God. Help us to depend exclusively on the power of the Holy Spirit. Today, we pray for a great awakening in the name of Jesus’, amen.
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