Scripture: “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” – 1 Corinthians 1:18
Examination: Paul is explaining the need to be united as believers, not divided because of who preached the gospel to them. Instead, he instructed them to focus on Jesus. Additionally, he explains that the wisdom of man falls short even when compared to the “foolishness” of God.
Application: For decades, scientists believed that a bumblebee was not supposed to be able to fly. Its body was too big for its tiny wings to support, plus it flew at speeds too low for flight to be sustained. It was absurd to see this rotund little creature flitting from flower to flower. Eventually science discovered that the bumblebee doesn’t fly like a bird or a plane; its wings move in a figure-8 pattern instead of up and down, generating lift in each direction.
There are many occasions in the Bible where unexplainable and unbelievable things happen. To believe in these events would be absurd… if you didn’t have faith! Here are a few of those “absurd” occurrences in the Scriptures.
- The parting of the Red Sea
- “And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.” – Exodus 14:22
- The floating ax head
- “And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim.” – 2 Kings 6:6
- Calming a storm at sea
- “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” – Mark 4:39
- The Resurrection of Lazarus
- “And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.” – John 11:44
- Peter walking on water
- “And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.” – Matthew 14:27
This last example takes place during one of the disciples’ crossings of the Sea of Galilee. Seeing someone walking on the water toward them frightens them, after all, no one can walk on water! However, Jesus calls out and tells them that it is He and they need not fear (Matthew 14:27). Peter responds, “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” (v 28). Jesus then invites Peter to come out of the boat. Matthew 14:29 records the event. “And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.” As the impulsive disciple focuses on Jesus, he does the impossible! He walks on top of the water! Perhaps in a moment of realizing the impossibility of what is happening, Peter takes his eyes off Jesus and begins to sink into the sea! Matthew 14:31 describes what happens next. “And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”.
Even though Jesus seemed to chastise Peter, His first action was to save the disciple from drowning. This is comforting to us today because we can know, without a doubt, that when our faith wavers… when we think it’s absurd that God would act in a certain way… Jesus will never allow us to drown in our disbelief. He will always reach out to us through His Word and Spirit to help restore us to Himself and renew our trust and faith in Him.
An absurd faith? To some, maybe, especially when one considers a verse like Romans 5:8. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” It does seem absurd that a holy God would suffer great agony and die on a rough rugged cross to save mankind from its own depravity and sin, but that is exactly what Jesus did. Time and time again, both in His Word and in my life, I am assured that there is truly no absurdity in placing my faith in a God who sacrificed Himself for me and loves me with an everlasting love!
Memory Verse: “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.” – Proverbs 28:26
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand: all other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
His oath, his covenant, his blood, support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand: all other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
(from “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less” by Edward Mote)