By Rev. Adam Thompson
If you were devising a plan to save yourself from eternal damnation, what sort of plan would you come up with? Whatever your plan, there’s no way you’d come up with a plan like God’s plan. The world won’t understand what God’s plan is through Jesus. Some think it’s totally crazy.
This was the Apostle Paul’s point in his message to the church in Corinth. “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
If you were describing your ideal savior, your description would probably include characteristics like strong, just, willing to fight for your salvation, destroyer of your enemies. Well, your description of your savior bears a striking resemblance to our savior through God. The difference is how they’d accomplish the salvation.
The worldly savior would likely use strength, might and overwhelming armies and forces to destroy your enemies and win your salvation. God’s heavenly savior, Jesus, saves us by giving up his might and strength. The worldly savior avoids and cheats death. Jesus willingly accepts and does not resist death at the hands of his enemies. The worldly savior rules with power and domination. Jesus rules with servanthood and sacrifice on the cross.
The contrasts between the worldly savior and God’s savior could not be more stark. That’s why the cross of Jesus makes no sense for the unbeliever. To them it is utter foolishness. But thanks be to God for his “foolishness”. Jesus has already vanquished our enemies and secured our place in heaven with God for all of eternity. Paul goes on to write: “Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe . . . 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
Is God’s plan crazy? If eternal salvation is what you seek, it’s the only plan that will work.