Thanks For Nothing, Paul

1 Corinthians 1:20-31

Mark 1:14-28

Reading the passage from 1 Corinthians for today is not likely to overwhelm us with self-confidence. "Consider your own call, brothers and sisters," Paul writes: "not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God" (1 Corinthians 1:26-29). Not exactly what I'd want in a reference letter: "I am pleased to inform you that Jim Freeman is generally foolish, weak, low, and despised. (Signed) Paul the Apostle." Thanks for nothing, Paul.

When Jesus called disciples (as we've also read today in Mark), he did not go among the wealthy and powerful, he went where the common folk were hard at work trying to survive. And as the gospel of Mark unfolds one might argue that Jesus' choice in disciples was not particularly inspiring. In human terms he could have done so much better. But that is really the point, isn't it? God doesn't seek our wisdom, our strength, our standing in the community. What God wants from us is faithfulness and obedience. What God wants from us is everything we are, including our feeble efforts, our halfhearted failures, our confusion. God takes all of that, and by grace God brings out of it something wonderful and miraculous.

We have a role to play, you and I, and God constantly challenges us to do our very best. But ultimately it is God, through Jesus Christ, who we must trust to accomplish the divine will. Until then we are called to make our wisdom, strength, and prominence that of God, and to leave behind that which the world claims to be essential.

Prayer: Lord God, help us to give our lives to you, that we may live in faithfulness all the days of our lives. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Is There No Room for Strength?

1 Corinthians 1:20-31

Perhaps Paul really was speaking to a very specific time and a very specific place when he wrote today’s passage from 1 Corinthians. Maybe we are not supposed to carry its meaning forward into our own era. But I have to wonder. “…God chose what is foolish in the world,” says Paul, “to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).

So often the church has sought to act out of strength, to preserve its status, to promote its agenda. Politically, socially, economically organized religion has claimed a lofty status in our culture. And when we see that status slipping away we fret and worry and decry attacks by the Godless on our way of life. Where would Paul stand in such circumstances? Would Paul applaud our determination to exert power, or would Paul say that we are dangerously close to boasting in the presence of God?

The evidence is anecdotal, but it seems to me that the message of the gospel is far more meaningful for the powerless, those who suffer or who are oppressed, than it is for those who are successful in worldly terms. Should this not worry those like me who live in comfort and relative security? Are we not called to trust God more and our own power and authority less? It’s a very tough question and one that I wrestle with often.

Prayer: Lord, help your people to boast only in you and not in themselves, that your wisdom may prevail in our world and more importantly in our lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.