– Scripture:

The Message that points to Christ on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hell-bent on destruction, but for those on the way of salvation it makes perfect sense. This is the way God works, and most powerfully as it turns out. It’s written, I’ll turn conventional wisdom on its head, I’ll expose so-called experts as crackpots. So where can you find someone truly wise, truly educated, truly intelligent in this day and age? Hasn’t God exposed it all as pretentious nonsense? Since the world in all its fancy wisdom never had a clue when it came to knowing God, God in his wisdom took delight in using what the world considered dumb preaching, of all things! to bring those who trust him into the way of salvation. While Jews clamor for miraculous demonstrations and Greeks go in for philosophical wisdom, we go right on proclaiming Christ, the Crucified. Jews treat this like an anti-miracle and Greeks pass it off as absurd. But to us who are personally called by God himself both Jews and Greeks Christ is God’s ultimate miracle and wisdom all wrapped up in one. Human wisdom is so tiny, so impotent, next to the seeming absurdity of God. Human strength can’t begin to compete with God’s “weakness.”

                              1 Corinthians 1:18–25 MSG

Key Verse – Human wisdom is so tiny, so impotent, next to the seeming absurdity of God. Human strength can’t begin to compete with God’s “weakness.

– Reflection:

Can we appreciate the way God chooses to reveal himself in our world. It’s like an ongoing riddle, where God consistently shows up through the weak and foolish. May you be open today to recognizing God’s presence in unexpected places. Riddles encourage us to think outside the box and see the real potential of things beyond face value.

Where do we go from here?

The passage from 1 Corinthians shows us that what may seem foolish and weak in the eyes of the world actually embodies the spirit of Christ. When we embrace the seemingly foolish act of giving without expecting anything in return, we are embodying Christ’s spirit. Also, when we show what may appear as weakness, such as serving as a greeter or offering forgiveness and mercy, we are actually reflecting the life of Christ. Still, when we welcome and support the weak and marginalized, we are truly seeing the face of Jesus.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, Please slow our mouths and open our ears that we might listen for your presence among us. Allow us to see the ways of your kingdom and the values of your world that we might join along in the foolishness of faith. Amen.