Ineptitude

"Christ: the power of God and the wisdom of God," 1 Corinthians 1:24.

Talking about wisdom and power, right? Whether earthly power of material strength or power of authority to make things happen, power moves. Whether earthly wisdom of action through next steps or wisdom concerning the way the cosmos works, wisdom impresses. So people continually look to folks who have wisdom or power, preferably both, to get us out of massive messes we're in. But God's power, God's wisdom arises from another place than from earth. So here's God's provision: a dying man nailed to a cross. How foolish! How weak! (But God had warned long ago that humans have no capacity to handle all-encompassing knowledge.) God's lack of common sense? Makes human wisdom look like a fool's errand. God's frailty? Makes human power look like a delicate waste. Preaching of Christ crucified? God's lifeline for believers only. Sky kingdom.

We hear today from a brother or a sister about faith in Jesus, God's power and wisdom. We place hope in the (so-called) foolishness of God, not in human ineptitude. And, together, we give faithful thanks to God for his effective wisdom and power: Christ crucified.