I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2
Beethoven was angry. He’d intended to name his Third Symphony “The Bonaparte.” In an age of religious and political tyranny, he saw Napoleon as a hero of the people and champion of freedom. But when the French general declared himself emperor, the celebrated composer changed his mind. Denouncing his former hero as a rascal and tyrant, he rubbed so hard to erase Bonaparte’s name that he left a hole in the original score.
Early believers in Jesus must have been disappointed when their hopes of political reform were dashed. He’d stirred hopes of life without the tyranny of Caesar’s heavy-handed taxes and military presence. Yet, decades later, Rome still ruled the world. Jesus’ messengers were left with fears and weakness. His disciples were marked by immaturity and infighting (1 Corinthians 1:11–12; 3:1–3).
But there was a difference. Paul saw beyond what remained unchanged. His letters began, ended, and overflowed with the name of Christ. Christ resurrected. Christ with a promise to return in power. Christ in judgment of everything and everyone. First and foremost, however, Paul wanted believers in Jesus to be grounded in the meaning and implications of Him crucified (2:2; 13:1–13).
The love expressed in Jesus’ sacrifice made Him a different kind of leader. As Lord and Savior of the world, His cross changes everything. The name of Jesus will forever be known and praised above every name.
Read: 1 Corinthians 2:1-10 (NIV)
2 1 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you,
I did not come with eloquence or human wisdomm as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.a
2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.n
3 I came to youo in weaknessp with great fear and trembling.q
4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words,r
but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,s
5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.t
God’s Wisdom Revealed by the Spirit
6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature,u
but not the wisdom of this agev or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.w
7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mysteryx that has been hiddeny and that God
destined for our glory before time began.
8 None of the rulers of this agez understood it, for if they had,
they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.a
9 However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”b—
the things God has prepared for those who love him—b
10 these are the things God has revealedc to us by his Spirit.d
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
INSIGHT
- How is Jesus different from other leaders?
- Can you identify with Paul’s recall of his own weakness and fear?
- How does Jesus help you with that?
Paul recalls having a singular purpose when he first met his Corinthian readers (1 Corinthians 2:2). Without natural eloquence, brilliance, or self-confidence, he taught about a king and conqueror who’d allowed His enemies to crucify Him. As foolish as it must have sounded, Paul wanted them to join him in accepting, honoring, and never forgetting a God willing to be lifted on a criminal’s cross (1:13, 17–25; 2:2, 8). He reminds the Corinthians of why nothing makes more sense than to love God and one another. Because Jesus didn’t remain in the grave (ch. 15), what may at first sound foolish, deserves never to be forgotten.
PRAYER
Father, please help me to see Your heart in the sacrifice of Your Son. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!!
Read: 1 Corinthians 2:1-10 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Hosea 9-11; Revelation 3
