Blessing the weak. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

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For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. (ESV)
What a beautiful set of verses these are: I have been meditating on them all day. I don't think I have great insight personally, but I love the meter and the choice of words here. I think Paul couldn't help but see the wise saying it is foolish to believe that Jesus rose from the dead, that the powerful may say Jesus showed weakness in not defending himself against unjust accusations. Only the strong survive, the wise say; only a fool would not defend himself, the strong would say. "Are you not going to answer?" the high priest asked Jesus. "Don't you hear the testimony they are bringing against you," Pilate asked Jesus.

The message of the cross is foolishness to those perishing, Paul reminded the Corinthians. The wise see the message as foolishness, Concordia University theologians Michael Middendorf and Mark Schuler argued, because:
To human eyes, it looks scandalous, foolish and weak. Yet that is how God worked his salvation, and Paul reminds the Corinthians, that is how God continues to work. He chooses the poor and lowly in the eyes of this world to be his own (1:27) In so doing he shames those with worldly wisdom, as well as the things the world views as strong. This reminder to the Corinthians serves to put their focus on Christ. If they want to see God's wisdom, it is Jesus. So also, their righteousness, holiness and redemption are all in Christ. (Called by the Gospel, Pages 154-155)
You don't have to do anything but believe that Jesus rose from the dead. The message is really that simple. Jesus lived a perfect life for you. He died for you. He defeated death. He came back to life, raising himself. He walked out of a tomb guarded by two Roman guards. He rescued us from ourselves, the people who are incapable of rescuing themselves.

That's right, you don't have to do anything ... but believe! God did all the work for you. He wrapped the free gift of his incredible grace for you. It's seemingly too simple. Just believe.

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