LEARNING DAILY

1 Corinthians 1:22-25, For the Jews request a sign, and the Gentiles seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ the power of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

The Jews were looking for a military leader, a victorious king. To the Gentiles, the crucifixion made no sense because it was a sign of weakness and defeat (David Jeremiah Study Bible). The DJSB gives additional information. “God uses five things to accomplish His work: (1) foolish things, (2) weak things, (3) base things, (4) despised things, and (5) things which are not. The word weak can be translated “sickly, feeble, impotent” (Acts 4:9). The base things are ignoble. The word despised here means “contemptible, like the way Goliath looked upon David and his God (1 Samuel 17)”.  The idea of salvation being earned through one’s own effort or strength is a wrong thought; it is only given by the grace of God. In return, He wants those saved to not glory in themselves. He wants them to give Him all the glory.

 There we see the problem. Man wants to “do” things, to live in a way that people believe they are good to make up for their sin. They believe their intellect, human wisdom and logic will save them. To them salvation through Jesus’s death on a cross makes no sense, it is foolishness. Read this carefully – knowledge is not the same thing as trust and faith. Understanding facts is not the same as salvation. To the Jews, who wanted evidence they could see, the crucifixion was only a dying man on a cross. The Gentiles prided themselves on the value of human wisdom and philosophies. The cross did not provide them with the evidence they sought because none of it (including the resurrection) fit their need for understanding.

With that in mind we enter into December, the time of year we remember the birth of the Messiah, the birth of our Savior. With what has been written about the Jews and Gentiles can you imagine what their thoughts must have been about a virgin being pregnant, about angels appearing to lowly shepherds, about the travel of wisemen to worship and give gifts to a king that was born? All the prophecies of the birth of a Messiah were fulfilled. But the scribes and religious leaders missed it! The King born did not lead a revolution against the Romans. His death on a cross certainly did not fit the narrative of the Jews and the Gentile could not come close to understanding what that meant. How could He save others when He could not save Himself from this humiliating death?

I am already frustrated with the “Christmas” programs. Yes, I am of the old persuasion that the “old” Christmas music should be sung; they have Christ in them. Okay I like the songs about Rudolph, etc... We have gotten away from the “Christmas story” as presented in the gospels and made Christmas about the worldly stuff. It is a holiday, but a holiday from what? I do enjoy the Christmas season because it is to be with joy, hope, and love. It is to be remembered as a celebration of the birth of Jesus. It is to be celebrated with an attitude of expectancy of a second return of a King, a conquering King, coming this time to establish His kingdom on earth.

God’s “foolishness” in sending His Son is the greatest wisdom of all. As we are preparing for this coming Christmas season, may we focus on the Christ of Christmas as we decorate, shop for those special gifts and make plans to gather together in celebration. Enjoy the Christmas music, the Christmas movies and all that goes with the season. May we not forget that “Jesus is the reason for the season”! I am so thankful that “the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men”!