Sunday, September 24, 2023  

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Today’s Scripture Reading 
1 Corinthians 2:1–13

When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.

Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. But we speak God’s wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him” — these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God’s except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual. (NRSV)

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Reflection
A dear friend of mine was recently awaiting lab results. These results, grounded in cutting-edge science, will inform expert doctors on the next steps for treating my friend. While waiting impatiently, I read many articles written by wise people that explain the “grading” and “staging” of malignant masses and prognosticate on likely outcomes.

I was so grateful to have another book, full of wisdom, to read while waiting. In the Bible one can learn about the sort of wisdom that Paul preaches to the Corinthians. Paul teaches that it is those who are wise in God’s ways who see how God works through human weakness to carry out God’s plans and purposes.

Human wisdom is important — we need learned people, experts in their subjects, who help to heal human maladies. But this type of wisdom isn’t capable of grasping all the plans God has for each of us. While waiting for the next steps for my friend, I hold on to my faith, which does not rest on human wisdom but in God’s power and in his gift to each of us. Jesus died for us so that we will have eternal life.

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Prayer
Creator God, show me true wisdom. Help me, Lord, to remember I cannot rely only on human wisdom. Help me, God, to seek true wisdom through the love of Christ, which surpasses all understanding, and to remain faithful to your promise of everlasting life. Amen.

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Written by Sarah Younger, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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