Most people (not all) would probably consider themselves relatively smart - maybe 'a little above average' (of course if it was true that most people were above average, then the average would have to change, wouldn't it? But I digress…). I actually think it's somewhat natural (i.e. human) for us to believe we are 'a little above average'…
I’m not sure if that’s just pride, or if it’s because the only perspective you or I have is, well, our perspective – meaning the way things appear to be from where I’m standing is the way I would usually say things are. And from where I’m standing it’s easy to dismiss or forget about my own stupidity, and even easier to revel in or be shocked by someone else’s.
If you’ve ever tried to share the message of Christ and the cross with people, you’ve probably seen rolling eyes that would challenge even the most annoyed teenagers abilities… Have you ever been made to feel (or maybe outright told) you are foolish to believe in Jesus? Or are you perhaps one who believes people who believe this are foolish?
Let’s be honest – there are some highly intelligent and educated people who do not believe in Christ, and many will use their intelligence as a defense for why they don’t believe. “I don’t believe in fairy tales” or “I prefer facts” are common defenses in today’s world. So it’s interesting to me that God already called us all out on this – a LONG time ago!
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. (1 Corinthians 1:18 NLT)
God recognizes that His message will be ridiculed and considered foolish by many people. It doesn’t take long these days - with TV, movies, news, books, or just talking to unbelievers - to realize that this world does not find wisdom in the message of the Cross.
But God – being the only all-knowing, all-seeing Deity in the room – has the only true and always correct perspective:
As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.” 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. (1 Corinthians 1:19-20 NLT)
Ouch! I guess we have all been put in our place! But guess what else He says? It is actually a good thing in God’s perspective to be foolish under one circumstance - if you’re foolish for Him!
This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. (1 Corinthians 1:25 NLT)
What foolish plan could this be referring to?
Perhaps that God stepped down from His Throne, became flesh-and-blood Man, and was born of a virgin into a stinking, hay-strewn stable; that this Man grew up in our sin-filled world, yet lived a sin-less life; that this Man gave Himself over to the rulers of this world to be killed for crimes He did not commit. Even more foolish is that in His death, we know that He defeated death and the grave. And He went further still, in that in His return to life, He made a way for us to live with Him - forever.
Sound foolish? To many the answer is “Yes”. But God’s perspective is that this was the ultimate display of His power and His love. And He had it all figured out before this world was even created!
So be a fool for God – boast on Jesus and the Cross! The world won’t understand, and may even ridicule or demean you – in fact, it is to be expected! But this world cannot contain the foolish TRUTH!