1. His Birth
2. His Ministry
3. His Death
4. His Resurrection
There is a railroad bridge in Durham, North Carolina called the “Norfolk Southern–Gregson Street Overpass.”[1] The bridge carries trains over Gregson Street. It was designed in the 1920s with a clearance for vehicles under 11 feet 8 inches tall. That was the standard of bridges back then. Today, the standard height for bridges is 14 feet, because many vehicles on the road today are over 11 feet 8 inches tall.
Anyway, near this particular bridge, there was an office worker named Jürgen Henn, who noticed that there were a bunch of trucks who were too tall for this bridge, who tried to pass under the bridge. Some of them simply had the tops of their trucks trimmed off like a can opener, which is why this bridge is often called “The Can Opener.” Other trucks got stuck altogether. So, Jürgen placed a camera outside his office, focused on the bridge. And whenever he would notice debris on the pavement, he would look back at the footage and place the crash on YouTube. You can go and see hundreds of crashes where trucks ignored the signs of the low bridge and crashed into the bridge. Especially difficult to watch are the RV trailers, whose air conditioning units simply get wiped off the top of the trailer.
Eventually, he produced a website, “11foot8.com,”[2] where he explains the problem of the bridge and still posts a bunch of his videos. By the way, there are other bridges like this across the nation.[3]
Now, because of his efforts, in 2019, the city of Durham did some construction and increased the bridge clearance to 12 feet, 4 inches. Yet, still there are regular crashes at this site. In fact, the last video was just posted last month, in which a truck crashed into the bridge.
And it’s not for lack of signage that these trucks are crashing. There are warning signs. There are flashing lights. There are height markers. In fact, half a block before the trestle, a sensor detects overheight vehicles and triggers an LED blackout warning sign that was installed in May 2016. That same sensor also triggers a red-light phase at the traffic light directly in front of the trestle, installed in March 2016, so the driver has 50 seconds to read the warning sign next to the red traffic light and consider their next move. Many trucks heed the warnings and stop and turn right onto the side street as the signs recommend.
But still, many others disregard the warnings, thinking that they would fit under the bridge just fine. In other words, these drivers see the warnings, but they trust their own judgment more.
My message this morning is entitled “The Low Bridge,” because this bridge is a little bit like the illustration that’s used in the New Testament called “The Stumbling Block.” Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:22-23, “For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles.” That is, the message of a crucified Savior doesn’t make sense to either Jews or Gentiles. The Jews stumble over Jesus. The Gentiles think that the message of Jesus is “folly.”
This idea fits the general theme that we have been looking at over the past month. We have been looking at this theme of “When Life Doesn’t Make Sense.”
Four weeks ago, we looked at Psalm 73, in which Asaph was looking at “The Greener Grass” of the lives of the wicked. He saw the prosperity of the wicked and thought that it didn’t make much sense. He thought the blessing of God was always upon the righteous who follow him. But Asaph saw the wicked prospering, and it didn’t make sense, until he saw their end, the judgment. Asaph could declare that God is good to Israel, those who are pure in heart (Psalm 73:1). This is what we need to trust as well, even when things around us make no sense: that God is good to those who are pure in heart.
Three weeks ago, we looked at the life of Joseph, from Genesis 37-50. His life was going along just fine, until he hit a major detour, when his brothers betrayed him and sold him into slavery in Egypt. Things only got worse, as he was falsely accused and thrown into prison, where he spent many years. Life was difficult for Joseph; he wasn’t the cause of any of his suffering. Yet, Joseph learned at the end of it all that his detour in life came by design from the LORD’s hands. What the brothers meant for evil, God meant for good (Genesis 50:20). This is the lesson that we learn from Joseph: when our life takes an unexpected detour and it all doesn’t make sense, God may well be working something for good. The promise of Romans 8:28 is always true: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Two weeks ago, we looked at the book of Habakkuk. He was a prophet who prophesied just before the destruction of Jerusalem. To be sure, God’s people were sinful and some punishment was due. But the way in which God brought the punishment made no sense to Habakkuk. God raised up the wicked Babylonians to come and wipe out the land, and Habakkuk argued his case against the LORD. But just as a prairie fire burns the land and works much good which isn’t always apparent, like removing the dead growth, returning nutrients to the soil, suppressing invasive species, and creating conditions for new life to flourish, so also God’s plan to take Judah into exile would have its effect in God’s plan for the nation. At the end of the book, Habakkuk learned to trust in the LORD. He learned that the righteous will live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4).
Last week, we looked at the book of Lamentations, which took us to Jerusalem after the fall, when the city that was once full of people and great among the nations sat lonely and desolated. We used the imagery of a ghost town to think about what happened, because when Babylon came and destroyed the city, that is what it became. Most from the city were exiled to Babylon; only the poor of the land remained. And certainly this was painful and difficult and hard to understand. Yet, we learned that even in the most dire of circumstances, our hope will come when we embrace Lamentations 3:22-23: “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
This morning, we come to the last picture of this series, considering “When Life Doesn’t Make Sense.” I want for us to think about the life of Jesus, because the life of Jesus doesn’t make sense to many people. The picture we are considering this time is of “The Low Bridge,” which some drivers of large trucks and trailers, despite the warnings, will continue to attempt to drive underneath. The signs don’t make sense to them.
This is the best modern illustration that I could think of regarding the idea of Jesus being a “stumbling block.” That the ways of God are not the ways of men. Isaiah 55:8-9 says it this way: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Because, when we think about Jesus, this isn’t the way that we would bring a Savior into the world. And many in the days of Jesus stumbled over him. And many today stumble over him and don’t believe in him, because Jesus doesn’t make sense to many people. We need to embrace that. We need to embrace the ways of God, which may be different than ours.
So, let’s consider the life of Jesus from this perspective of the low bridge, that people crash into because the signs don’t make sense. Let’s begin with
1. His Birth
There are many things surrounding the birth of Jesus that don’t really make sense to many people. So, open your Bibles to Matthew, chapter 1. This is the very first book of the New Testament, which begins with the genealogy of Jesus, showing that he was a Jew, from the line of Abraham, showing that he was of the line of David, the line of the kings. Let’s hear the Christmas story.
Matthew 1:18-25
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Now, we hear that story so often that its familiarity can easily overcome our sense of credulity. Jesus was born of a virgin! Today is Father’s Day. To be born, you need to have a dad. This goes against everything that we know of how babies are born. It goes against biology. It goes against human experience. It goes against common sense. If someone would tell you they were born of a virgin, you would be skeptical, because it doesn’t make sense. It’s only this prophecy from Isaiah 7:14 that foresaw that Jesus would be born of a virgin. It’s no wonder why people don’t believe in Jesus. But here, at the very beginning of the life of Jesus, his life doesn’t make sense.
Consider even the circumstances surrounding his birth. Matthew, chapter 2.
Matthew 2:1-12
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
The coming of Jesus blew right past the scholars of the day. They certainly heard of these wise men from the east, claiming to see the star of the Messiah. They knew of where the Messiah was to be born, in Bethlehem, for so taught the prophets (Micah 5:2). And you would think that the chief priests and scribes would go to Bethlehem to check it out. But from what we read in the text, no such inquiry was made. I think it’s because the coming of the Messiah didn’t make much sense to them. Sure, the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, but being the king of the Jews, certainly he would come with fanfare and make his coming known. He wouldn’t be born humbly in a stable, placed in a manger. The scholars of the day saw the signs, low bridge ahead, but rather than turning aside to investigate matters, they continued on with their life as usual. And they hit the “Low Bridge.”
The birth of Jesus doesn’t make sense to us today, as the Scripture says that he was born of a virgin. The birth of Jesus didn’t make sense to those in his day, as the scholars of the day were expecting something different. Let’s consider
2. His Ministry
There is much of the life of Jesus that didn’t make sense to those around him. Let’s begin with his teaching. Turn over to Matthew, chapter 5. Listen afresh to the way that the Sermon on the Mount begins.
Matthew 5:3-12
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
These statements go so against the way of the world! What do you mean, “Blessed are the poor in spirit”? It’s those who are alive and rich in their spirit who are blessed! What do you mean, “Blessed are those who mourn”? We want to be happy! We don’t want to mourn. What do you mean, “Blessed are the meek”? It’s the strong who are blessed in this life, not the meek and lowly. Every single one of these statements is counter-cultural as much today as they were back then. Consider verse 10: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” None of us really desire to be persecuted. How is it that those who are persecuted are blessed?
And how is it that Jesus says in verse 43-44, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”? The wisdom of the world is to hate our enemies, not to love them. But such is the teaching of Jesus!
He says, “Don’t practice your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them” (Matthew 6:1). He says, “Don’t lay up for yourselves treasures on earth” (Matthew 6:19). What about a 401k? We are wise to save. Jesus also says, “Don’t be anxious about your life” (Matthew 6:25). All of these things go against our nature and often don’t make sense. Look at the response to the teaching of Jesus.
Matthew 7:28-29
And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.
Matthew doesn’t tell us that the people understood it all, but simply that they were amazed. His teaching was so different than what they heard. And in many ways it didn’t make sense to those who heard it.
There is much of the life of Jesus that wasn’t understood in his day. Turn over to chapter 9. Regarding his ministry, Jesus called the down and out.
Matthew 9:9-13
As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
To call Matthew to be one of his disciples was very radical! Tax collectors were considered traitors in the Jewish society, as they worked on behalf of the Romans to extort money from the Jewish people. And then, to mix with sinners was contrary to the law of Moses, which called the people of Israel to live different and distinct lives. “You shall be holy to me, for I the LORD am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine” (Leviticus 20:26). For the Pharisees, this meant no contact with the sinners of the day. Jesus was shattering this notion.
People didn’t have a category for Jesus. He would pluck grain on the Sabbath, contrary to the law. He would heal people on the Sabbath, which the Pharisees despised. Turn over to Matthew 12.
Matthew 12:9-14
He went on from there and entered their synagogue. And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” — so that they might accuse him. He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.
The Pharisees didn’t understand what Jesus was doing in his life, so they went out to destroy Jesus. To go back to our illustration of the Low Bridge, these Pharisees saw the sign but ignored it. They didn’t believe. Because the ministry of Jesus didn’t make sense to them. And I say this: you won’t understand the life of Jesus if you think that it all makes sense. The entire reason why Jesus was crucified is because he didn’t make sense to the Pharisees.
Jesus didn’t even make sense to his disciples. When he revealed his plan for his life and death, the disciples rejected it. So, let’s transition now to look at my third point this morning:
3. His Death
Turn over to Matthew 16.
Matthew 16:13-23
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
That’s all well and good! Jesus will build his church! The gates of Hades will not prevail! But then, Jesus tells his disciples how this is going to happen. Peter did not like this, because Peter didn’t understand why Jesus came. I think Peter was thinking along the lines of the disciples who were on the road to Emmaus: they thought that Jesus was coming to redeem Israel from the tyranny of the Romans (Luke 24:21). Peter didn’t understand that Jesus came to redeem us from our sins! His death upon the cross was in the place of sinners! He died in our place. We simply need to believe this and embrace it! But it doesn’t make sense to many. That’s why many don’t believe.
Jesus continued by explaining the implications for our lives.
Matthew 16:24-26
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”
This is what Jesus did. He took up his cross and died. He lost his life, that it may be found. He calls us to walk in his example. And this is so counter-cultural. This goes against our ways. Even saying this to his disciples, it didn’t make sense to them. Turn over to Matthew 20. What made sense to the disciples was glory, not sacrifice.
Matthew 20:20-28
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
It wasn’t only James and John who were seeking glory for themselves. The other ten wanted to sit on the thrones next to Jesus as well. Then Jesus tells of the path to true greatness. It’s not up. It’s down. This is so contrary even to us today. The great ones in our world are those who wield their authority, exert their power, lift up their prominence, and are often filled with pride. Look at Nebuchadnezzar: looking over Babylon he said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30). Herod was feared by many because he was so thin-skinned that he ordered the killing of all the male children in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16). It’s how he stayed in power, through threat and intimidation. The same holds true for rulers today. The same often holds true of churches. There are many dominant, abusive leaders in churches today. And it’s all contrary to the ways of Jesus, who came “not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). We are called to follow his same path to greatness, by becoming a servant to all. It doesn’t make sense.
Even the actual death of Jesus doesn’t make sense. Turn over to Matthew 21. Jesus came into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, in accordance with the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9.
Matthew 21:7-11
They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”
And less than a week later, we see the crowds crying out, “Crucify him!” Look over to chapter 27.
Matthew 27:15-26
Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!” So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.
None of it makes sense. Why would the crowds be so hostile against Jesus? The man who went about “doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil” (Acts 10:38). Why were they so hostile? They were ignorant. Jesus didn’t make sense to them. “None of the rulers of this age understood, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:8).
Stepping back, there is a great sense in which the crucifixion of Jesus makes no sense at all. Jesus was the most righteous man that ever walked the planet. He never sinned! Not even once! Of anyone who deserved the blessing of God, it was Jesus. And what did he receive? He received the greatest curse that anyone could ever receive! He was punished for our sin! He was punished for the sin of all who would believe in him! He was punished for your sin and mine. It’s one thing to sin and suffer for it. It’s something else to suffer for the sins of another. It’s another thing altogether to suffer for the sins of all who believe! But that’s what Jesus did. That’s what was happening when Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). At that moment, God the Father was forsaking God the Son, so that the punishment that we deserved might fall upon him! The cross was the most unjust thing to ever happen to anybody! And it happened to a sinless man, who deserved none of it. Really, apart from God’s working in our lives, it makes no sense.
Yet here is the remarkable truth: the greatest injustice in the world is the way that God exhibits the greatest mercy in the world. These things took place that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
It’s like the low bridge. We can see all of the signs about the low clearance. And for some, it makes no sense. So, let’s move to our last point this morning.
4. His Resurrection
This makes absolutely no sense. In our experience, people don’t rise from the dead. We have no medical procedure that can reverse death after three days in a tomb. We have no category for a man who was publicly executed, buried, and then walked out of his grave.
Death is the most universal reality of human experience. Kings die. Beggars die. Rich people die. Poor people die. The young die. The old die. I was at a funeral this week of our neighbor who passed away after a short bout with cancer. We didn’t even know that she was sick. It was a funeral Mass. The priest said something very true about funerals: “We will all be here someday. We don’t know when we will be here. But it’s an appointment that all of us have.” But in those words, there was no expectation that our neighbor would rise again. Because, death always wins. Or so it seems.
Jesus did what no one expected. Jesus did what no one could accomplish. He walked out of the tomb alive. It didn’t make sense to the Jews. After the account of Jesus being risen from the dead, we read.
Matthew 28:11-15
While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.
The Jews were trying to cover up the resurrection. It showed that they knew what happened, but tried to work the system so that people wouldn’t follow after Jesus. This was the lie that proves the resurrection. But it doesn’t make sense. That’s why they tried to cover it up.
Let’s close by looking at 1 Corinthians. We have seen the birth of Jesus, his ministry, his death, and his resurrection. And 1 Corinthians 1 tells us why it is that so many people stumble over all of this.
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
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. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
This is the gospel of first importance, as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. This is what we preach. Realize that it will seem foolish. It will not be understood by many.
And Paul speaks about his own ministry, which I want to press to all of you. This is what we need to be about when we understand that Jesus doesn’t make sense to people.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
That is the message. That is what we need to be telling our family and friends. And know that it will seem foolish to them. That is OK. That is the message of Christianity. There is this message that doesn’t make sense. It is foolish to the world. But it makes sense to us. It is the wisdom of God. And may our hope and our faith not rest in our great wisdom, but may it rest in the power of God.
This sermon was delivered to Rock Valley Bible Church on June 21, 2026 by Steve Brandon.
For more information see www.rockvalleybiblechurch.org.
[1] “Norfolk Southern–Gregson Street Overpass,” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norfolk_Southern%E2%80%93Gregson_Street_Overpass.
[2] 11foot8.com, https://11foot8.com.
[3] “List of bridges known for strikes,” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_bridges_known_for_strikes.