Stress Test Devotional May 4
May 04, 2024
1 CORINTHIANS 1:22-25 | 22 For Jews ask for signs and Greeks desire wisdom, 23 but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to gentiles, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.
The second verse of Be Thou My Vision feels like a continuance of a prayer: “Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word…” Saint Paul remarks on the great irony at the center of both his ministry and the gospel. Many Jewish listeners even with great knowledge of the Torah, could not understand that the Messiah was sent to suffer. Convinced God would send a victorious conqueror, they thought Christ’s death on a cross invalidated His claims. Despite being steeped in systems of sacrifice, they missed God’s great offering. Greeks knew sophisticated philosophies, many of which posited an unmoved mover, a supreme being. They could not countenance such an august being, entering history to suffer out of love for His broken children. God’s wisdom that we seek and know and follow can seem foolish—but it is the power of salvation for all who believe. The cross is at the center of Christian wisdom about life and salvation and the character of God.
Is the cross central to your understanding of life and faith?
Gracious God,
Knowledge is not wisdom. May the things I learn never separate me from the truth of Your saving love, made real on the cross.
Amen.
