WORLDLY
WISDOM PUT TO SHAME
Eleventh
of twelve in Jesus’ Earthly Life & Ministry
Parallel Series
Isaiah
29:14, 1 Corinthians 1:18-21
Isaiah
29:14: “Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon
wonder; the wisdom of the world will perish, the intelligence of the
intelligent will vanish.”
1
Corinthians 1:18-20: “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 God not made foolish the wisdom of the
world?’”
“You think you’re
so smart. But can you do this?” Scotty
challenged his fifth grade classmate, Jeremy, on the basketball court. Scotty fired the ball from the three-point
line.
Swish.
Jeremy smiled as he rebounded the basketball and dribbled
it to where Scotty shot. He said, “I
just meant,” he squared his feet to point at the basket. Then continued, “‘Global warming’ doesn’t only
mean to expect summer temperatures to be hotter.” He shot the ball.
Swish.
“It really means that we can’t predict the weather
anymore.” Jeremy concluded.
Scotty rolled his eyes.
He retorted, “It’s winter, it
should be snowing.”
“Exactly!” Jeremy agreed.
“Then, why are we playing basketball outside without jackets?”
“Global warming!” Scotty yelled, triumphant. “DUH!”
Jeremy walked away shaking his head. Scotty just
doesn’t get it! he thought. “Just
last week we wore winter coats, boots and gloves!” he yelled back.
The basketball bounced down the playground and stopped at
the fence. Apostle Paul must have felt like
his words, like a ball, also stopped at a fence.
Take Home Nugget
Paul
knew that His Jewish brothers expected the Messiah to come as a triumphant
king—one who’d free them from Roman rule.
Christ’s crucifixion was the fence that stopped them from believing. For they figured it was impossible for a
crucified criminal to be the world’s Savior!
To the Jews, Christ became
foolishness to the Gentiles who believed in Jesus as Lord and Savior. It was unthinkable to worship one who was
crucified! For shame!
Whose wisdom—the Jews’ or the believers’
in Christ—were put to shame?
“Be
very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise bust as wise, making the most of
every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
(Ephesians 5:15-16).
“I praise You, Father, Lord of
heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and
learned, and revealed them to little children.”
(Luke 10:21).
J.D.
Griffith
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