1 Corinthians 2:1-12
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.
Reflection
Paul brings a message to new Christians in Corinth. A message focused on Jesus. A message of faith and truth and trust in what God has done for them through Jesus. A message to a people submersed in the religions and gods of the day. A message that is simple yet powerful. A message that would help the people of Corinth see how the grace of God in the death and resurrection of Jesus far exceeds any message they may hear from the religions they are surrounded with that focuses, not on God, but on the wisdom and knowledge of man.
Yet, for those who believe and know Jesus, Paul tells of God's wisdom, secret and hidden that displays and tells of a God of glory that had a plan of salvation for all people. A plan of salvation that included God coming to this place in the flesh and blood of Jesus and taking on the sin of all the world for the sake of all the world that all people may live eternal life in unity with God.
God's plan wasn't a human plan but a divine plan of love. God's plan was for you and for me and for all the Corinthians and for all humans throughout time. A plan of salvation.
Now, for those who have received God and follow Jesus as disciples; we gladly tell this world of God's plan to save all humans. We rejoice in this time after Jesus resurrection to go to all the world. A time to tell all the world of what God has done for us in Jesus so that all people may hear and come to believe in the Savior, Jesus. So that all people may come to accept Jesus' gracious act of love and join in the unity with God in eternity with all the redeemed.
Paul! What a message! Jesus! What an act of love! Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Lord, thank you for the message and the life and the ministry and the offering of Jesus for all. Thank you for your gracious plan of salvation. As I go into the world this day; send me with your message of grace to proclaim to all the world the salvation you offer in Jesus... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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