Paradox?!?!
As many people have remarked, the Christian belief system is full of paradox. Paradoxes are apparent contradictions that turn out to be true. Some examples in the bible are: "dying to live", "poor but rich", "slaves but free", and into today's reading "foolishness is wisdom", and "the weak are the strong"!
Why is Christ crucified a paradox? First, how can God die? It seems counter-intuitive but only Jesus, who is God, could die for our sins because he was sinless. If he was sinful,he wouldn't be God and he would have to die for himself. But if He is God he didn't deserve to die. Yet, the sinless one died for the sinful ones, so that they might forgiven of their sins. For us to realize the power of God, we need to die to our wisdom. Our wisdom would say that if we only were wise enough, we could be like God. It would seem like a contradiction to say that true wisdom would be to be as foolish as to believe that only true wisdom can come from outside of ourselves.
Ultimately Christ being crucified defies human wisdom, because we expect Jesus to take out his enemies and come down off the cross and rule. But Jesus says instead, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Who would invent a God like that who would suffer and die so that we might live? One of my favorite sayings is, "If the Gospel were not true who would have invented it." But God chose this way so as to confound those who think they are strong. But he revealed himself to those who are just weak enough to rely on God's wisdom.
You see if we could claim credit for our own salvation, it would not show the world God's mercy and grace. By being weak in the way St. Paul uses the word (meaning not "wimpy") is ultimately to be strong because you are turning to the one who is truly powerful. To those who are wise enough to admit they need help, become the truly powerful who will one day rule with him in heaven. I don't know about you, but knowing that in my weakness I can actually show off God's grace and mercy is pretty wise. You or I could never have invented it, but fortunately God did!
Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom
18 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. 19 For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”[b]
Why is Christ crucified a paradox? First, how can God die? It seems counter-intuitive but only Jesus, who is God, could die for our sins because he was sinless. If he was sinful,he wouldn't be God and he would have to die for himself. But if He is God he didn't deserve to die. Yet, the sinless one died for the sinful ones, so that they might forgiven of their sins. For us to realize the power of God, we need to die to our wisdom. Our wisdom would say that if we only were wise enough, we could be like God. It would seem like a contradiction to say that true wisdom would be to be as foolish as to believe that only true wisdom can come from outside of ourselves.
Ultimately Christ being crucified defies human wisdom, because we expect Jesus to take out his enemies and come down off the cross and rule. But Jesus says instead, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Who would invent a God like that who would suffer and die so that we might live? One of my favorite sayings is, "If the Gospel were not true who would have invented it." But God chose this way so as to confound those who think they are strong. But he revealed himself to those who are just weak enough to rely on God's wisdom.
You see if we could claim credit for our own salvation, it would not show the world God's mercy and grace. By being weak in the way St. Paul uses the word (meaning not "wimpy") is ultimately to be strong because you are turning to the one who is truly powerful. To those who are wise enough to admit they need help, become the truly powerful who will one day rule with him in heaven. I don't know about you, but knowing that in my weakness I can actually show off God's grace and mercy is pretty wise. You or I could never have invented it, but fortunately God did!
Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom
18 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. 19 For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”[b]
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