The Right Way

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. (1 Corinthians 1:18-25 ESV). I read the following brainteaser recently. See if you can solve it without looking to the end of this morning’s devotional for the answer. If none of the following statements are true, who can we conclude broke the vase? Liza: Alex broke the vase. Edwin: Liza will tell you who broke the vase. Sergio: Liza, Edwin, and I broke the vase. Luis: I did not break the vase. Fernie: Liza broke the vase, so Tom and April couldn't have. Alfonso: I broke the vase so Luis is innocent. There’s a story about a proud young man who came to Socrates asking for knowledge. He walked up to the muscular philosopher and said, “O great Socrates, I come to you for knowledge.” Socrates recognized a pompous numbskull when he saw one. He led the young man through the streets, to the sea, and chest deep into water. Then he asked, “What do you want?” “Knowledge, O wise Socrates,” said the young man with a smile. Socrates put his strong hands on the man’s shoulders and pushed him under. Thirty seconds later Socrates let him up. “What do you want?” he asked again. “Wisdom,” the young man sputtered, “O great and wise Socrates.” Socrates crunched him under again. Thirty seconds passed, thirty-five. Forty. Socrates let him up. The man was gasping. “What do you want, young man?” Between heavy, heaving breaths the fellow wheezed, “Knowledge, O wise and wonderful...” Socrates jammed him under again Forty seconds passed. Fifty. “What do you want?” “Air!” he screeched. “I need air!” “When you want knowledge as you have just wanted air, then you will have knowledge.” The cross seems so wrong when we compare it to the logic of our modern mind. Our reading this morning emphasizes the importance of faith. Don’t try to figure out God’s method. Accept it by faith and enjoy the freedom from sin death he has won for you in Christ! ANSWER: Luis broke the vase. If none of the statements above are true then he must have broken the vase. Luis: "I did NOT break the vase."