April Fool’s
There are several references to fools in the bible. Balaam being made a fool by his talking donkey (Numbers 22: 29), Delilah by trying to trick Sampson (Judges 16:13) and of course the fool that says there is no God in Psalm 14:1, just to name a few.
In the New Testament there are stories of the wise and foolish builders (Matthew 7:24-26) and the wise and foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), in which the stories point the listener to watching for and following Jesus.
From the world’s view, following Jesus is foolish and weak. It has been that mindset ever since Jesus’ time of ministry. When he was on the cross the people would shout, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” (Luke 23:37), “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!” (Mark 15:29-30)
Even his followers wondered if He really was the Messiah after His death. “The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.”(Luke 24: 20-21) Jesus commented on their foolish thinking, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” (Luke 24: 25-26)
What the world sees and what God sees are two different things. The world saw the cross as defeat, God saw it as victory. The world saw the meekness in Jesus as weakness and God saw it as power and strength. The word says, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)
As believers we know the power of the cross and the One who is Lord and Savior of the world. Because of that knowledge we then choose to live fully for Jesus. This lifestyle is also seen by the world as foolishness. Paul commented that “Our dedication to Christ makes us look like fools.
Even now we go hungry and thirsty, and we don’t have enough clothes to keep warm. We are often beaten and have no home. We work wearily with our own hands to earn our living. We bless those who curse us. We are patient with those who abuse us. We appeal gently when evil things are said about us. Yet we are treated like the world’s garbage, like everybody’s trash—right up to the present moment.”(1 Corinthians 4:10-13 NLT).
Which fool would you like to be? The fool who says there is no God or the fool for Christ? Both have entirely different outcomes. “But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” (Matthew 24:26-27 NLT)
The fool for Christ will hear, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Happy April Fool’s Day!
My Prayer
Father, thank you for teaching us that Your ways are opposite of the world’s ways. Let the world think me a fool as long as You think of me as Yours. Change my heart and make me wise in Your ways. Give me patience and grace to follow Your example of meekness and strength. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Where does my help come from?
Psalm 53: 1-2
Only fools say in their hearts,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and their actions are evil;
not one of them does good!
God looks down from heaven
on the entire human race;
he looks to see if anyone is truly wise,
if anyone seeks God.