August 5

1 Corinthians 1:18

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

We will never understand God's ways - we aren't supposed to, we aren't God.  Isaiah 55:8 tells us that God's thoughts are not ours, nor are our ways His.  When I looked up the translations in Hebrew I learned that "thoughts" is referring to God's plan, purpose or intention and "ways" is referring to His direction or path.  So when I thought of it in terms of today's reading, the message of The Cross in terms of eternal salvation through the atoning blood of Jesus our Savior would seem irrational and foolish to anyone who isn't looking with their spiritual eyes.  When Jesus arrived, the Jews were expecting The Messiah to be a conquering King. He was a conquering King, just not the way they anticipated.  Jesus did demonstrate power - but not earthly power.  He was demonstrating Godly power which was why it was difficult for people to understand. Going ahead 2000 years, we also need to understand that the message of The Cross has nothing to do with self reformation.  We cannot reform ourselves or save ourselves.  I think "those who are perishing" are the ones that think their ability to influence their destiny rests in their own power and wealth and that's why the message of The Cross still sounds foolish to many people.  Jesus' death wasn't the end of His life, it is actually the beginning of ours because we believe He was resurrected.  Because of this, our life will not end either.  For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).  The message of The Cross is offered to everyone. I pray God gives each of us a chance to share the message with someone today.




Randi