WISE OR FOOLISH?

Reading: 1 Corinthians 1: 18-25

 

 

Where is the wise [discerning, enlightened, learned] man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish [uninformed, devoid of good sense or judgment] the wisdom of the world? [1 Cor 1: 20]

 

As a nurse in the Operating Room, I often had opportunities to talk with surgeons about more than medical issues. One Ophthalmologist [I’ll call him “Dr Eyemann”] was very knowledgeable about his specialty. I loved how he could explain the anatomy of the eye and the various surgical procedures used to correct problems. Dr Eyemann was an outstanding surgeon technically as well. He was also well-read about many other subjects. By all worldly measure, he had a lot of wisdom. He was worldly wise, but by God’s standard, this brilliant surgeon was foolish. Dr Eyemann loved to get into philosophical/theological discussions with staff. He would bring up many topics, often in a controversial way, because he was trying constantly to refute things that didn’t make sense to him in human terms.

 

This worldly-wise ophthalmologist couldn’t see the truth—he was blind to anything beyond human wisdom.

 

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 [vs 21].

 

Thank you, Lord, that through Your “foolishness” it pleases you to save those who see and believe. And I pray for Dr Eyemann and all who rely on their own “wisdom” for understanding of your ways—open them to your wiser ways. “For the foolishness of [You] is wiser that human wisdom [vs 25a].” Amen.

Eyes Wide Open

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. (John 9:1-3)

In the Jewish culture it was commonly believed that some great calamity was the result of someone's sin. We also think that way sometimes. We might dismiss someone's misfortune as, 'a just reward', or 'just desserts'. This way of thinking comes close to passing judgement. Our struggles may be a result of poor decisions, or  even things totally out of our control, like the blind man referenced above.

Jesus used this man's predicament, to glorify and point to God. He used the situation to tell the world that God can do anything. We live in a fallen world where good isn't always rewarded and evil isn't always punished. That's just how it is, but God can make good shine through our mistakes. God uses us and our testimony to make a difference in another's life.

This blind man became a believer as a result of his malady. His faith grew and he began to follow The Light of the World. He could see Jesus with his own eyes. Have you eyes been opened lately? Have you encountered the Great Healer and experienced His unconditional love? Have you seen His Glory in the midst of your tragedy? Tell the world, make it your testimony.

John 9:1-7

I Can't Find It ANYWHERE!!!!

I am a mother of a ten-year-old.  And among other things, that means he can’t find anything I send him to look for.  It could be his baseball equipment, phone, the laundry basket… it really doesn’t matter.

It can be right in front of him and he is blind.  Can you re

late?  Is there anyone in your family who has a hard time seeing what is right in front of them?  Or maybe, please forgive me, it’s you.  You struggle locating things that are hidden in plain sight.

I laugh as I type this, but our scripture passage today has a similar situation.  John 9 talks about a time when Jesus is walking on a road with his disciples, and they come across a man blind from birth.  This man can’t see a thing.  He was born this way.  It’s not his fault.  It’s not his parents fault.  He is just blind. 

Jesus spits in the mud, forms clay and applies it to the man’s eyes.  After washing his eyes, he went home seeing. 

Now, this is where the story get’s interesting.  The healed man comes upon some Pharisees who investigate how he regained his sight.  They question lifelong neighbors, some of who can’t decide if it is really the man they grew up knowing.  They ask his parents how it happened.  They reply, “No comment.”  All the while the young man keeps telling them Jesus did it. 

The Pharisees have dedicated their lives to God and the study of scriptures, but they cannot see the Messiah that is right in front of them.  They may not have been physically blinded, but they struggle with spiritual blindness and ironically the Light of the World is right there among them. 

Let’s not be like the Pharisees, make sure to take some time today and ask God to open your eyes to him.  Ask him to help you see where he is and how you can be a part of what he is doing.

Ready today's passage here John 9:1-25

Saul’s Conversion

 Acts 9: 1-20

I have a few observations and questions I’d like to share:

I have  noticed that some people have to be hit up along side the head with a brick before they get it!

Many are hit up along side the head with a brick and still don’t get it!

How often do some people have to get hit up along side the head with a brick before they do get it? And finally, why is it that some people get hit up along side the head with a brick time and time again and never get it?!

Receiving a devastating blow can be the greatest blessing of our life, though at the time it is impossible to see.

Saul was known to be a mean, cold hearted opponent of the Christian faith. He “was still breathing murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples,” in Acts 9:1. While in the process of seeking letters to the synagogues in Damascus from the high priest, granting him permission to capture and imprison anyone Saul found to be Christ followers, was literally blindsided. A sudden light from heaven flashed around him. Saul fell to the ground and heard, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” The Lord directed him to get up, go into the city, and he would be told what he must do there. Upon standing and opening his eyes, Saul found he was blind. Now that’s being hit up along side the head!

Saul was guided to Damascus by the hand, and for three days he was blind. In the mean time, a disciple named Ananias was called upon by the Lord to go to Saul, place his hands on him and restore his sight. Ananias was reluctant because he knew of Saul’s history. The Lord said to Ananias in Acts 9:15, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer in my name.” This was done, and Saul was filled with the Holy Spirit. Most of us know the rest of the story of Saul, otherwise known as Paul.

The message to Saul was very clear. Today not many people have the privilege of such an obvious and undeniable communication direct from God. We must quiet ourselves, feed ourselves from His Word, and P. R. A. Y.  

P-Persevere

R-Repent

A-Act

Y-Yield

Read/Listen to Acts 9:1-20

How’s Your Vision? Matthew 23:23-38

I remember one Halloween Steve and I, when we were dating, went to a costume party each wearing simple house blinds (Don’t ask how we managed that). With confused looks, our friends asked us what we were supposed to be. Knowing we stumped them we would proudly reply, “The blind leading the blind.”

We had fun thinking we had clever costumes that year, but today’s scripture talks about the blind leading the blind in a more sober manner. Jesus says two different times in five verses, “You blind guides!” And then more specifically, “Blind Pharisee!” He is warning the religious leaders of being hypocrites and living a life which looked holy from the outside, but was self-indulgent and greedy on the inside.

As Christians we should be challenged from this passage. Do we live a life that is set apart and different from the rest of the world, in order to lead a hurting friend, neighbor, or co-wording to Christ? Or do we clean up our act just enough so when the casual observer looks, we seem to have it all together? If that is the case we are no more than the blind leading the blind.

If you’re willing, take a good look at your insides today. Ask God to reveal any areas you’ve been turning a blind eye to, and address it for His glory. I don’t say these words lightly. It’s always humbling when God reveals areas I need to see more clearly. But remember He loves you and will light your path as you clean, so you don’t stub your toe.

Read today’s passage on Biblegateway Matthew 23:23-28