Foolishness of God

 

In Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth, he starts out in talking about foolishness and wisdom. Comparing the wisdom of the world against the foolishness of God, Paul proclaims that he is a fool for Christ if being a fool means believing in resurrection and love. In our society, we have the two political sides calling the other side’s agenda foolishness and often each other fools (and much worse). Paul, like Jesus whom he proclaims, talks about love being in the center of our faith and religion. It is out of foolish love that Jesus went to the cross, it is out of foolish love that knowledge, power, and talent mean nothing unless it is patient, kind, rejoices in the truth. It is out of foolish love we recognize that we are part of the body of Christ and cannot say, “I have no need of you.” It is out of foolish love that we share each other’s joys and share each other’s sufferings. We cannot distance ourselves; we cannot separate ourselves; and we cannot be children in our thinking (They started it!).

It is the foolishness of God, not worldly wisdom, that Christ came to bring good news to the poor, hung out with tax collectors and sinners, and had women be the first to proclaim his resurrection. It is the foolishness of God that Jesus was born in a manger and not a palace, that shepherds were first told of his birth, and he was baptized in the Jordan just like everyone else. It is the foolishness of God that has Jesus inviting us to take up our cross and follow him, to give our stuff to the poor, and to not seek glory or our rewards.

In preparation for his ministry, Jesus spends 40 days in the wilderness, fasting and being tempted. To begin the kingdom, Jesus doesn’t grab power at the center of power, but submits himself to the laws and traditions of the government and religious authorities though he is innocent. Once he has risen, he doesn’t take the throne, but steps aside so that others may do work and participate in the holy here on earth, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Paul writes, “And now faith, hope and love abide, these three, and the greatest of these is love.” In our society which idolizes power, fame, control, and wealth; let us repent of this world’s wisdom and prestige; and turn toward the God who loves us, Christ who teaches us, and the Spirit who truly empowers us.

Each month a member of the Cook County Ministerium will offer Spiritual Reflections. This month’s contributor is Pastor Enno K. Limvere, Designated Pastor of First Congregational Church of Grand Marais, United Church of Christ.