That No One May Boast

Good morning Immanuel. It's good news that God chooses the low things.

“For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 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; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God” (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).

Photo by Clémence Bergougnoux on Unsplash

The cross of Christ was foolish to some and weak to others, but it is the wisdom and power of God unto salvation. Who could imagine that God would locate salvation in the lowliness of a crucifixion? But this is the kindness of God. We could never climb up to God to reach salvation, so God came down to us in the person and work of Jesus Christ! His humility is our salvation.

So who can get in on this? Is the guest list reserved for the strong, the powerful, the morally upright, and the wise? Not at all! For consider our calling - not many of us were big deals according to earthly standards, and even if we were, none of that gives us any advantage. Grace doesn’t flow uphill to the highest point, but downhill to the lowest. So God invites the least among us, to make it obvious that his kingdom is all about grace to the undeserving, not reward for the deserving.  

So to all who are weary and need rest, Jesus welcomes you. We don’t have to be a big deal. We don’t have to be “put together.” In fact, our greatness gets in the way. With the empty hands of faith, we can receive the mercy and grace of Christ at our lowest place, as we trust the one who humbled himself for us!