The death of Jesus, the blood of Christ, the need for sacrifice—to those who pride themselves on their wisdom, these can seem foolish and unnecessary. They might scoff at the idea that death is required to please a holy God, calling it absurd.
“For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will set aside the intelligence of the intelligent.”
To those who haven’t placed their faith in Christ, the cross seems nonsensical. They may see themselves as wise and good, helping others and deserving no punishment. “What’s with all this blood—is it really necessary?” they might ask, finding it absurd, even gross. Paul notes that Jews often sought miraculous signs as proof, while Greeks valued intellectual wisdom and philosophical reasoning.
“Where is the one who is wise? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish? For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of what is preached.”
In contrast to what the Jews and Greeks wanted, God brings the cross. His wisdom isn’t the world’s wisdom. Hebrews reminds us, “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22). The cross shows that our wisdom or goodness can’t reach a holy God—only the shedding of innocent blood can forgive the guilty. To the “wise,” this is foolishness because it forces them to admit their need for a Savior, to confess their sin and guilt, and to come to God on His terms, not theirs.
“but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God,”
Foolishness to humanity, but wisdom to God—the cross! Christ crucified for our sin, His blood shed for us who broke our relationship with God through sin. Will I cling to human wisdom in pride, or humbly embrace God’s wisdom? As a believer, though misunderstood by many, will I preach Christ crucified—even to the wise of this world—trusting in the power and wisdom of God?
