1 Corinthians 1:18-31 (NRSV)
Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 on biblegateway.com
Verse 18For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Verse 19For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." Verse 20Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? Verse 21For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. Verse 22For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, Verse 23but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, Verse 24but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Verse 25For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength. Verse 26Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. Verse 27But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; Verse 28God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, Verse 29so that no one might boast in the presence of God. Verse 30He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, Verse 31in order that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
Devotion
Outside of Pittsburgh's Steel Building, the annual life-sized nativity set was just recently dismantled. Christmas wasn't that long ago, really. During the Advent and Christmas seasons many Christians in the region erect nativity scenes around their homes or outdoors. Now, in the season after Epiphany, some churches still maintain their Wise Men traveling in the front yard. Yet Paul's words to the Corinthians show that we need more than a nativity scene in our yards to communicate who God is and why God matters in the world. We are called to use our words to tell the story that accompanies the scene. What were the wise men seeking? Why does the child in the manger matter so much? What about the cross you wear around your neck or hang in your home? Who have you shared these important things with? God chose proclamation to save those who believe. While external signs have value, it is our words that tell the story of Jesus Christ—who he is and why he matters—that allow faith to be born in the world.
Prayer
God of life, you provide ordinary things to tell the story of your presence among us: light, salt, bread, wine and the wood of a cross. Give us courage to tell your story that we and others might know your presence and love among us. In Christ's name I pray. Amen.