¹⁸ The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. ¹⁹ As the Scriptures say,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise
    and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.”

²⁰ So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. ²¹ Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. ²² It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. ²³ So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.

1 Corinthians 1:18-23

Dear God, I really like verses 22 and 23 where Paul talks about your “foolishness” from the perspective of the Jewish people of the day and the Greeks. The idea that Jewish worshippers of you would see it as offensive that you/Jesus were crucified makes sense. How could you possibly be killed? Humiliated? Suffer such a defeat? Then, for the Greeks, it would just make no philosophical sense.

I remember a young Christian woman I knew was dating a devout Muslim. Remarkably, the longer they dated the closer they got to the religions of their childhood. She was ulitmately baptized in a Baptist church while they were dating. She remarked that Christianity was the only religion that leaned on your mercy. For her boyfriend, that was nonsense. Just accepting your mercy through Jesus was too easy.

As for me, I wantt o sit here and judge others for being so foolish, but I know I can be such a fool too. I get ideas in my head about you or what you think of things that are totally wrong. I think of verse 20 above that talks about the philosophers, scholars, and brilliant debaters. Yes, I like to think of myself as thoughtful and intelligent. As having great insights. But the truth is that I am a fool. Any insights or wisdom I get comes from you. It comes from times like this, reading what you recorded for us through scripture and then asking the Holy Spirit to speak to me through it. And to give me ears to hear.

Father, let that be my prayer today. Let me be about being humble in the face of the people I talk with. Help me to listen and learn from others. My inclindation is to try to be impressive. Now that’s foolishness! Help me to be intentionally humble because the truth is that I am a fool and nothing without you. Help me to grow a little more of your fruit today so others might be drawn to you. I have three specific appoitnments today and a lot of letters to write. Help me to be a blessing to all.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen