The Wisdom of “Foolish” Words
Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-20
I know very well how foolish the message of the cross sounds to those who are on the road to destruction. 1 Corinthians 1:18
Jose couldn’t wait to get to school that morning. He had to talk to Tony, the kid who sat next to him in homeroom.
“You should have been there!” Jose exclaimed.
“Been where?” Tony asked, shuffling books in his desk.
Jose explained. “My dad took me to the NASCAR race this weekend. It was so awesome! You should have seen the cars.”
“I’ve seen cars,” Tony said.
“No, you don’t understand. These were awesome. When they revved their engines it was like you could feel it shake your bones. And they were so fast, you thought they were going to fly right off the track and land in the stands.”
Tony shrugged. “They just go around and around. It sounds kind of stupid.”
Jose’s enthusiasm suddenly disappeared. “All I know is, it was cool,” he said with a sigh. “If you had been there, you’d think so too.”
Talk about it: Have you ever tried to explain an experience to someone—and he just didn’t get it? How did you feel?
Frustrating, isn’t it? It’s so clear to you, but it might not make much sense to your friends who didn’t experience it for themselves.
It can be that way when we talk to some people about Jesus. The Bible tells us to be ready to share our faith with anyone, but sometimes our explanation of Christ and what he has done in our life can sound weird. You share the startling news that Jesus is the Son of God, and some people blow you off. You tell someone that you have trusted Christ as your personal Savior, and she might laugh. You talk about something you learned in church or from reading the Bible, and they just don’t get it.
That’s what Paul was talking about. He said that the message of Christ—the very message that is so superpowerful to those who believe—sounds like foolishness to others.
But don’t be discouraged. Go ahead and share with confidence, because you are telling about God’s complete wisdom and truth. You never know how the Holy Spirit is using your words. After all, it’s not up to you to change anyone’s heart. So you can be faithful to talk about what God has done in your life, trusting he will use it to honor himself.
TALK: How do people react when you talk about Jesus?
PRAY: Lord, help us to be good friends today. Use our words and kindness toward people as a way to open up their hearts to you.
ACT: Can you name three friends who need to trust Christ as their Savior? How can you let God use you to show them he wants a relationship with them?