2026 Epiphany Devotions
Friday, January 30
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
26 Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to abolish things that are, 29 so that no one might boast in the presence of God. 30 In contrast, God is why you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 in order that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
“… 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; …”
To the Romans and Greeks in the first century, hanging someone on a cross to die was the epitome of a shameful death. To say to them, then, that Jesus, the Son of God, died in such as way seemed ludicrous. Finally, to profess that the same Jesus rose on the third day was crazy. To those who considered themselves wise to the ways of the world, the Christians’ proclamation was nothing short of foolishness – yet, it was, in reality, the power and wisdom of God.
Too often, folks take what we Christians proclaim as foolishness. Standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves, for instance. Those who wield power and authority speak condescendingly about those who offer their lives and service to others for no return. They mock those who sacrifice themselves for the sake of the poor, outcast, marginalized, and needy. Yet, what seems foolishness to the “wise and powerful” is in reality, the wisdom of God.
The same is true of those whose faith compels them to speak truth to power with love, who advocate for justice for those who are oppressed, who provide support and care for neighbors regardless of their background, status, ethnicity, or nationality. All these examples come to us from the same Scriptures that tell us the Jesus died on the cross and rose three days later. To the “wise of the world”, it is nonsense. To us who believe, they are the actions of those who trust the wisdom and power of God.
Prayer: God of Wisdom and Power, reveal Your will and Your way to the “wise of the world”. Help them to see Your “foolishness” of love, justice, compassion, and hope. Help me to see them too. Amen.