God Chose What is Foolish

AM Psalm 61, 62 • PM Psalm 68:1-20 (21-23) 24-36
1 Kings 21:17-29 • 1 Cor. 1:20-31 • Matt. 4:12-17

A few years after Paul founded the church in Corinth, he received several reports of friction within the church community. The congregation was arguing about some of the practical issues of living out the gospel day to day. Like us, they were trying to figure out how to relate to God (should we eat sacrificed meat? what about sex? how do we take up collection now?), how to be closer to God, where to find him in the midst of city life. Paul writes back to the Corinthians with guidance and instructions.

Early on in his letter, Paul reins in the notion that a member’s status in the church is based on who baptized him/her. Paul tells them hey, hold up—that’s not the point. He explains that not only is God’s message not about worldly status or power or wisdom, it’s the polar opposite that God demonstrated in Christ’s death on a cross. Certainly, God gave his son in a way that showed neither the power that Jews demanded nor the wisdom the Greeks desired. Crucifixion was a shameful way to die, But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. He gave the cross power.

I think that must be it. That when the pain and tragedy and injustice of the world overwhelm me, when my own smallness makes me afraid, I will always find God where two pieces of wood intersect, the place where God's love and human weakness meet.

Written by Bernadette Reda

Bernadette is a mom, wife, grandmum and communication scholar who finds joy and humor in her dogs, nature, writing, music and fixing small appliances while gleefully researching what to be when she grows up.