1 Corinthians 1:18-25
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. For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.
Abby had the displeasure of not only being taught by one of the crankiest science teachers in her entire high school but also having homeroom with that same teacher each morning. This teacher showed no respect towards the Christian faith and often openly made a mockery of the Creation Story and those who believed in it.
Though Abby was an incredibly quiet and well mannered student she came home one afternoon and vented to her mother. “Mom, I can’t take it anymore. I hate how he continually bashes God in his class each day. I’m tired of being quiet; I’m going to stand up for my faith.” Her mother was surprised by this aggressive attitude. It was not like her daughter to talk this way. She was worried and cautioned her daughter to make wise decisions.
The next week Abby came home with a huge smile on her face. “What happened?” her mom asked. “I needed to stand up for my faith,” Abby said, “so I did.” Then she explained. Usually Abby’s teacher sat at his desk and talked over the morning announcements as they were broadcasted during homeroom. That morning, as the announcements concluded with the Pledge of Allegiance, Abby stood to her feet, put her hand on her heart and repeated the Pledge in front of everyone.
The teacher became silent and the entire class stared at her. Her teacher’s mouth remained open as Abby finished the Pledge, “…One Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.”
In today’s scripture passage we read that “…the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing” (v.18) and that God has “made foolish the wisdom of the world” (v.20). This is certainly true in Abby’s case. And today she doesn’t stand alone for her faith, many of her classmates stand with her.
Sometimes as Christians we have to stand up God’s truth even though we may make ourselves look foolish. In what situations do you feel God wants you to take a stand?
Youth Department