Scripture to Read: 1 Corinthians 1:22–23
God led Paul to tell us how the message of Christ is seen by the Jews and the Gentiles. We read in 1 Corinthians 1:22–23, “For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness.” In the time when God had Paul write these words, the Jews were looking for the sign of a miraculous Messianic deliverance, much like the apostles when they asked Jesus in Acts 1:6, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” The Jews were not looking for the message of the cross, but for the deliverance from a godless Roman Empire. What they desired was not bad, but their complete rejection of Jesus as their Messiah was completely wrong. So, the message of Christ was a stumbling block to many Jews; that is why both then, and even still now today, many Jews still believe their Messiah has not come yet. The Greek culture of Paul’s day valued the pursuit of wisdom, again, not a bad thing in and of itself. They sought human wisdom and knowledge, but it came at the cost of throwing aside God’s wisdom. Many Gentiles refused salvation through Christ because they had allowed themselves to be deceived by only seeking human/fleshly wisdom. Searching for the truth ought to be the goal for every person. When people reject Christ and His Word, they have chosen to be tripped up by this world and to be fooled into thinking Christ is not the answer.
Challenge & Application
Why is the message of the cross still a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles?
How can you help those who are searching for truth, and what evidence has God given you to show them the way?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!