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.
